Teaching digital control and filtering using MATLAB and VisSim

The authors report the revision for a course entitled Discrete Data Systems which is a blend of classical and modem digital control, and digital filtering. This revision reflects computing resources now available and as a result no longer are low order system problems assigned. The authors have incorporated symbolic computing in several appropriate places where it can increase understanding and yield error-free algebraic manipulations. In most exercises, the computing is of the numerical type using algorithms developed in the course. Simulation employing a graphical-oriented simulation language lends reality as to how control laws and estimation algorithms are implemented in practice and lets students explore the effects of controller parameters and sampling interval on responses.