Development of learning materials for automatic control course

Abstract

In the new global economy, automation technologies play an important role in the industry, agriculture, transportation and daily life in the 4.0 era. Generally, studying the theory of automatic control involves the design of the dynamic control system. Students have to understand the system and be able to create mathematical models or models of control systems, both open-loop control system and closed-loop control systems, based on the knowledge of physics, mathematics, and differential equations. They have to use all knowledge to design a control system that provides the desired results by simulating the system with computer software, which is difficult to understand and practice their skills for real implementation. By using the teaching materials that emphasize hands-on practice along with theoretical studies, is very important in creating practical experience and skills. This research has developed learning materials in designing a basic automatic control system by systematically designing and building a controller with the appropriate actuators and sensors. The designing steps are clear and easy to understand include of application of control laws, programming the controller via microcontrollers, and using a Graphic User Interface (GUI) to display the response of the system. The learning materials can compare the results from the different control systems by adjusting the parameters of the dynamics system. Students can experiment with adjusting the parameters of the controller, which makes them understand the automatic control system through actual hands-on operations with the low cost and easy to produce teaching materials.