Course detail

Automatic Control Equipment

FSI-VPR Acad. year: 2025/2026 Summer semester

The course provides a fundamental overview of instrumentation and software-based tools and algorithms used in the automatic control of technological processes. Throughout the course, students will learn the theoretical foundations of electrical, software, and pneumatic tools applied in automation. These theoretical insights are complemented by practical experience, focusing on understanding the principles of these tools and developing the ability to apply acquired skills in real technical tasks. 

Supervisor

doc. Ing. Pavel Škrabánek, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Automation and Computer Science

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Prerequisites

Prerequisites include basic knowledge of automatic control, mathematics, and physics at a level covered in prior university courses.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Knowledge and skills are assessed through credit and examination.

Requirements for credit: Attendance at exercises, completion of assigned laboratory tasks, and preparation of a written report based on measurements. Attendance at exercises is mandatory; if this condition is not met, each case is assessed individually by the course instructor. Laboratory exercises are evaluated by the instructor based on student activity, and the laboratory report must be submitted and approved.

Requirements for the examination: Completion of a written test covering knowledge gained in lectures and exercises, followed by an oral examination. Answers to questions are graded with points, and the examination is evaluated according to the A-F scale.

Participation in lectures is recommended, while attendance at exercises is monitored. The method of compensating for missed classes is at the discretion of the exercise supervisor.

Language of instruction

Czech

Aims

The objective of the course is to familiarize students with electrical and pneumatic instrumentation and basic data processing algorithms used in control loops, examining their operating principles, roles within control circuits, and potential applications.

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to operate, configure, and design control loops using electrical and pneumatic instrumentation, as well as implement basic data processing algorithms.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

The study programmes with the given course

Programme B-STR-P: Engineering, Bachelor's
branch AIŘ: Applied Computer Science and Control, 5 credits, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Syllabus


  1. Introduction, Types of Signals for Information Transmission and Processing, Pulse Modulation

  2. Active Sensors (Thermoelectric, Piezoelectric, Pyroelectric, and Inductive sensors) and Passive Sensors (Inductance, Hall Effect, Capacitive, and Resistive-based sensors)

  3. Electrical Signal Processing Using Passive and Active Circuits

  4. Implementation of Analog Controllers Using Operational Amplifiers, Digital Controllers

  5. Serial Data Transmission, RS-232 and RS-485 Standards, Industrial Buses

  6. Actuators and Drives, Types of Electric Motors, Servomotors

  7. Moravec’s Paradox in Automation, Sampling, Quantization, and Signal Discretization

  8. Discrete Fourier Transform

  9. Basics of Convolution and Digital FIR and IIR Filters

  10. Principles and Properties of Compressed Air, Pneumatic Circuit Diagrams, Components for Compressed Air Production and Distribution

  11. Pneumatic and Electropneumatic Drives and Controls, Types of Pneumatic Cylinders, Motors, and Valves

  12. Practical Applications of Pneumatic Systems

Laboratory exercise

26 hours, compulsory

Syllabus


  1. System Identification from Step Response.

  2. System Identification from Frequency Response.

  3. System Identification with Computer Assistance.

  4. Temperature Control Using Two-Position and Pulse Controllers.

  5. Control Loop with a Compact Controller, Position Servo Mechanism.

  6. Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Relays in Electrical Circuits.

  7. Signal Sampling and the Occurrence of Aliasing.

  8. Application of Fourier Transform and Spectrograms.

  9. Signal Filtering Using FIR and IIR Filters.

  10. Basics of Pneumatic Components, Properties, and Calculations.

  11. Pneumatic Mechanisms and Their Control.

  12. Practical Design and Simulation of Pneumatic Circuits.