Block Diagram Algebra

In this video we introduce block diagrams (AKA signal flow diagrams). We explore how they are used to describe complex systems as well as how to perform blo...

3-DOF Orientation Tracking with IMUs

This document is not meant to be a comprehensive review of orientation tracking for virtual reality applications but rather an intuitive introduction to inertial measurement units (IMUs) and...

Understanding Kalman Filters, Part 5: Nonlinear State Estimators

This video explains the basic concepts behind nonlinear state estimators, including extended Kalman filters, unscented Kalman filters, and particle filters.

A Kalman filter is only defined...

Introduction to System Identification

In this webinar, you will have a unique chance to learn about system identification from a world-renowned subject expert, Professor Lennart Ljung. Professor Ljung will explain the basic...

Understanding Closed-Loop Control

This lecture discusses the differences between open loop and closed loop control in a very easy and intuitive way. Daily examples, like a dishwasher, plant irrigation, and car speed systems...

Systems Engineering, Part 1: What Is Systems Engineering?

This video covers what systems engineering is and why it’s useful. We will present a broad overview of how systems engineering helps us develop complex projects that meet the program...

How Simulations Work

This article sets out the critical aspects of building good simulations — that is, simulations that are accurate, easy to develop and analyze, and fast. The first sections deal with how a...

Artificial Intelligence

This lecture discusses artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of data science and machine learning.

Discrete control #4: Discretize with the matched method

This is the fourth video on discrete control and in this video we are going to continue exploring the different techniques we can use to discretize a continuous system and talk about the...

Understanding Control Systems: The Disturbance Rejection Problem

This video provides a demonstration using a car to show how you can simulate open- and closed-loop systems in Simulink®.

First, you will learn how to model and tune open-loop systems. The...

Control Systems in Practice, Part 8: The Gang of Six in Control Theory

When analyzing feedback systems, we can get caught up thinking solely about the relationship between the reference signal and the output. However, to fully understand how a feedback system...

Nyquist Stability Criterion, Part 2

An explanation of the Nyquist Stability Criterion part 2. This video steps through the how to sketch a Nyquist plot by hand, what to do if there are open loop pools on the imaginary axis...

Extremum Seeking Control in Matlab

This lecture explores extremum-seeking control (ESC) on a simple example in Matlab. In particular, a discrete-time (digital) version of ESC is coded in a Matlab script.

Control Bootcamp: Kalman Filter Example in Matlab

This lecture explores the Kalman Filter in Matlab on an inverted pendulum on a cart.

ITSIE: An Interactive Software Tool for System Identification Education

ITSIE is an Interactive Tool for System Identification Education. The tool is developed using Sysquake, a Matlab-like language with fast execution and excellent facilities for interactive...

Trimming and Linearization, Part 2: The Practical Side of Linearization

With a general understanding of linearization, you might run into a few snags when trying to linearize realistic nonlinear models. These snags can be avoided if you have a more practical...

Discrete control #3: Designing for the zero-order hold

This is the third video on discrete control and in this video, I want to clear up a confusion that I caused last time regarding using the ZOH method to discretize a continuous controller and...

Improving the Beginner's PID - Introduction

In conjunction with the release of the new Arduino PID Library Brett has released this series of posts that explain his PID code. He start's with what he call's “The Beginner’s PID.”  He...

Understanding Control Systems: Components of a Feedback Control System

This video introduces the components of a feedback control system and how they interact with each other.  

Learn basic terminology by walking through examples that include driving a car...

But what is the Fourier Transform? A visual introduction.

An animated introduction to the Fourier Transform.

Understanding the Z-Transform

This intuitive introduction shows the mathematics behind the Z-transform and compares it to its similar cousin, the discrete-time Fourier transform. Mathematically, the Z-transform is...

Nyquist Stability Criterion, Part 1

An explanation of the Nyquist Stability Criterion. This video steps through the importance of the criterion, how to interpret the Nyquist plot graphically, and why it is the way it is....

Resonance in Nature and Bioinspired Squid Robots

Bioinspired robots combine the best of both biology and engineering. Using tools learned from nature, we can build squid-like and other squishy robots to improve current capabilities in...

Trimming and Linearization, Part 1: What is Linearization?

Why go through the trouble of linearizing a model? To paraphrase Richard Feynman, it’s because we know how to solve linear systems. With a linear model we can more easily design a controller...

A real control system - how to start designing

Let’s design a control system the way you might approach it in a real situation rather than an academic one. In this video, I step through a control problem and show how control theory is...