Digital Control Systems
Overview
This unit covers sensors, signal conditioning, digital logic and programmable logic controllers used in electrical and electromechanically cyber physical systems. The unit will examine sensors that are typically used in industry to accurately measure force, heat, radiation, pressure, physical distance (width, length and thickness) both angular and linear and chemical composition. The unit will introduce the fundamental of digital logic and signal conditioning techniques as applied to Programmable Logic Control based systems.
Requisites
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Classify, and select basic and smart sensors for a digital system.
- Apply and interface smart sensors to a cyber-physical system.
- Implement and test a signal conditioning system for a digital system.
- Select and use appropriate communication protocols for the design of a digital control system.
- Understand and describe control system principles.
- Test and verify the PLC-based digital control system for industrial applications.
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face to Face Contact (Phasing out) Class | 7.00 | 10 weeks | 70 |
| Placement Placement | 6.00 | 5 weeks | 30 |
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 3.00 | 10 weeks | 30 |
| Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out) Independent Learning | 2.00 | 10 weeks | 20 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | Individual | 20% | 2,3,6 |
| Project | Individual/Group | 50% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
| Test | Individual | 30% | 1,5,6 |
Content
Digital electronics principles
Basic sensors - Principles
Smart sensors- Principles, components and applications
 communication protocols -Principles
Signal Conditioning
introduction to feedback and control
Open-loop and closed-loop control systems
Digital Control System basics
Programmable logic controller (PLC)
Application in the digitalised value chain
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.