CT5057 - Sensors, Actuators and Control (2026/27)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2026/27 | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Sensors, Actuators and Control | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||||
| School | School of Computing and Digital Media | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||||
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| Running in 2026/27(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
Sensors, actuators, and control systems are essential in various industries, enabling automation, monitoring, and precision control. In smart homes and IoT, sensors in motion detectors, thermostats, and security systems monitor environmental conditions, while actuators control smart lighting, automated door locks, and climate control systems. Control systems integrate these devices to enhance efficiency and automation. In healthcare, sensors track vital signs in wearable health devices, patient monitoring systems, and smart prosthetics, while actuators manage robotic surgical tools, infusion pumps, and ventilators.
Module aims
This module aims to build a strong theoretical foundation in sensors, actuators and control systems, with a focus on real-world applications. It explores fundamental principles and advances in control theory, emphasizing precision and efficiency optimization.
Students will gain knowledge of transducers and actuators, understanding their operation and role in converting electronic commands into physical action. Practical sessions provide hands-on experience with sensor and actuator systems, bridging theory with real-world applications.
Syllabus
Dynamic models (dynamics of mechanical systems, models of electric circuits, models of electromechanical systems). Dynamic response (review of Laplace transforms, transfer function, system modelling diagrams, time-domain specifications, effects of zeros and additional poles, stability). [LO1]
An overview and a perspective on feedback control, the basic equations of control (stability, tracking, regulation, sensitivity), the three-term controller: PID control, the root-locus design method, the frequency-response design method. [LO1, LO2]
State-space design: advantages of state-space, system description in state-space, block diagrams and state-space, analysis of the state equations, control-law design for full-state feedback, estimator design. Compensator design: combined control law and estimator, intelligent control. [LO1, LO2]
Instrumentation of an engineering system: sensing, actuation, and system control. Application scenarios of sensors and actuator. Common control system architectures. [LO2, LO4]
Component interconnection and signal conditioning. Performance specification and instrument rating parameters. Signal estimation from measurements. [LO1, LO2, LO3]
Analog sensors and transducers: passive and active devices, sensor classification. Types of sensors, e.g. tachometer, piezoelectric sensors, strain-gauge sensors, torque/force sensors. [LO2, LO3]
Digital and innovative sensing: advantages of digital transducers, incremental optical encoder and hardware features, direction, position, and speed sensing, absolute optical encoder, linear encoder, MEMS and smart/intelligent sensors.
Sensor fusion through Bayes, Kalman filter, and neural networks. Networked sensing and localization. Sensor applications. [LO2-LO4]
Stepper motors and continuous-drive actuators: stepper motors and dc motors (including brushless dc motors) and ac motors modelling and control. Hydraulic actuators and control systems (pump, valve, actuator, accessories). [LO2-LO4]
The group case study practical will involve students working in a team. [LO4]
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Students will be expected to carry out independent background study to familiarise themselves with the platforms and tools that will be used during the module. The module includes online learning material via Weblearn (VLE), face-to-face delivery of content, teaching/tutorial and assessment activities, student support and feedback.75
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
LO1. Analyse and design the feedback controllers using proportional, integral and derivative (PID) control, pole placement, state space representations and intelligent concepts of control systems.
LO2. Evaluate an application from a control perspective, leading to a suitable controller selection considering a given set of performance specifications and demonstrate a strong knowledge and understanding of the range of sensors and actuators relevant to control in robotics applications and evaluate their relative merits.
LO3. Appraise a range of sensor and actuator types and technologies, describe the dynamic properties of commonly used sensors and actuators, and explain how faults/failures can affect sensors and actuators and how these can be mitigated.
LO4. Analyse, specify, and design sensor-based measurement and actuation systems and to interface them to computer systems for monitoring and control purposes. Work effectively as a member of a team for a given group case study. Use appropriate techniques and tools to evaluate and design control systems taking into consideration technical aspects and environmental, health, safety, diversity and inclusion.
Bibliography
CT5057 Sensors, Actuators and Control | London Metropolitan University
Journals:
IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control
IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology
Automatica, Elsevier
Sensors, MDPI
Journal of Sensors, Hindawi
Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, Elsevier
Websites: IEEE Xplore