We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Sebastian Thrun, Andy Brown, Jake Lussier, Raffaello D'Andrea, Angela Schoellig, Nicholas Roy, and Sergei Lupashin
In the previous course, we implemented 3D path planning but assumed a solution for actually following paths. In reality, moving a flying vehicle requires determining appropriate low-level motor controls. In this course, you will build a nonlinear cascaded...
Read more
In the previous course, we implemented 3D path planning but assumed a solution for actually following paths. In reality, moving a flying vehicle requires determining appropriate low-level motor controls. In this course, you will build a nonlinear cascaded controller and incorporate it into your software in the project.

Here's a deal for you

We found an offer that may be relevant to this course.
Save money when you learn. All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.

What's inside

Syllabus

Learn how flying vehicles move in one and two dimensions by understanding how propellers create forces and moments which cause accelerations and rotations.
Read more
Learn how to control a drone moving in one dimension using Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) Control.
The controls problem becomes more difficult in two dimensions. Learn how to use a cascaded PID control architecture to control a flying vehicle that moves in two dimensions.
In this lesson you'll take everything you've learned so far about vehicle dynamics and control and put it together to control a quadrotor that moves in three dimensions.
In this project you'll implement a controller for a quadrotor in C++.
Walkthrough the steps you need to take to get a version of your controls project on a crazyflie!

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores industry-standard concepts of aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics
Taught by recognized experts in robotics and control
Develops skills in control engineering, which are core for robotics and autonomous systems
Covers advanced topics in multi-dimensional control for enhanced maneuverability
Includes project-based learning to apply control algorithms to a real-world system

Save this course

Save Controls to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Controls with these activities:
Review linear algebra and calculus
Ensure a strong understanding of linear algebra and calculus, which are essential for comprehending control theory.
Browse courses on Linear Algebra
Show steps
  • Review key concepts in linear algebra, such as matrices, vectors, and eigenvalues.
  • Refresh fundamental calculus concepts, including derivatives and integrals.
Discuss control system design with peers
Engage with peers to exchange ideas and clarify concepts related to control system design.
Show steps
  • Join or form a study group with fellow students.
  • Choose specific topics related to control system design for discussion.
  • Present ideas, ask questions, and engage in collaborative problem-solving.
Implement a simple PID controller in Python
Apply control theory concepts by implementing a basic PID controller in a programming environment.
Show steps
  • Review the theory and operation of a PID controller.
  • Choose a programming language (e.g., Python) and identify necessary libraries.
  • Implement the controller logic and test its functionality.
  • Simulate the controller's performance in different scenarios.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Solve control system problems
Reinforce understanding of control system concepts by solving practice problems.
Show steps
  • Collect a set of control system problems from textbooks or online resources.
  • Attempt to solve the problems independently, using appropriate techniques.
  • Review solutions and identify areas for improvement.
Attend a workshop on nonlinear controls
Gain specialized knowledge and practical experience in nonlinear controls through a dedicated workshop.
Show steps
  • Identify and register for a workshop focused on nonlinear controls.
  • Actively participate in the workshop, asking questions and engaging with experts.
  • Apply the knowledge and techniques acquired in the workshop to your project.
Create a blog post summarizing cascaded control architectures
Deepen understanding of cascaded control architectures by explaining the concept in a blog post.
Show steps
  • Research and gather information about cascaded control architectures.
  • Organize and outline the main concepts you want to convey.
  • Write a clear and engaging blog post that explains the architecture and its applications.
  • Publish the blog post on a relevant platform.
Mentor a junior student in control systems
Reinforce understanding by assisting a junior student with their studies in control systems.
Show steps
  • Identify a junior student in need of support.
  • Review basic control system concepts with the student.
  • Provide guidance and support on assignments and projects.
  • Create a positive and supportive learning environment.

Career center

Learners who complete Controls will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Aerospace Engineer
As an Aerospace Engineer, you will develop new systems for aircraft, spacecraft, and other flying vehicles. This course will teach you about the fundamentals of how flying vehicles move and how to control them, which is essential knowledge for anyone involved in the design and development of these vehicles.
Control Systems Engineer
Control Systems Engineers design and implement systems that control the behavior of physical systems, such as aircraft, robots, and industrial machinery. This course will teach you about the fundamental principles of control theory, which are essential for anyone involved in the design and implementation of control systems.
Flight Test Engineer
Flight Test Engineers plan and conduct flight tests to evaluate the performance of aircraft and other flying vehicles. This course will teach you about the fundamentals of flight testing, including how to design and execute flight test maneuvers and how to analyze flight test data.
Robotics Engineer
Robotics Engineers design, build, and program robots for a variety of applications, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and space exploration. This course will teach you about the fundamentals of robotics, including how to control the movement of robots and how to program them to perform complex tasks.
Avionics Engineer
Avionics Engineers design, develop, and maintain electronic systems for aircraft, spacecraft, and other flying vehicles. This course will teach you about the fundamentals of avionics, including how to design and implement electronic systems for flight control, navigation, and communication.
Technical Program Manager
Technical Program Managers plan and execute technical programs, such as the development of new products or services. This course will teach you about the fundamentals of technical program management, including how to plan and execute technical programs, how to manage risk, and how to communicate with stakeholders.
Systems Engineer
Systems Engineers design, develop, and maintain complex systems, such as aircraft, spacecraft, and other flying vehicles. This course will teach you about the fundamentals of systems engineering, including how to design and implement complex systems, how to manage risk, and how to communicate with stakeholders.
Project Manager
Project Managers plan and execute projects, such as the development of new products or services. This course will teach you about the fundamentals of project management, including how to plan and execute projects, how to manage risk, and how to communicate with stakeholders.
Manufacturing Engineer
Manufacturing Engineers design and implement manufacturing processes for a variety of products, such as aircraft, spacecraft, and other flying vehicles. This course will teach you about the fundamentals of manufacturing engineering, including how to design and implement manufacturing processes, how to manage risk, and how to communicate with stakeholders.
Quality Engineer
Quality Engineers ensure that products and services meet quality standards. This course will teach you about the fundamentals of quality engineering, including how to design and implement quality systems, how to manage risk, and how to communicate with stakeholders.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software for a variety of applications, such as aircraft, spacecraft, and other flying vehicles. This course will teach you about the fundamentals of software engineering, including how to design and implement software, how to manage risk, and how to communicate with stakeholders.
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineers design, develop, and maintain mechanical systems for a variety of applications, such as aircraft, spacecraft, and other flying vehicles. This course will teach you about the fundamentals of mechanical engineering, including how to design and implement mechanical systems, how to manage risk, and how to communicate with stakeholders.
Electrical Engineer
Electrical Engineers design, develop, and maintain electrical systems for a variety of applications, such as aircraft, spacecraft, and other flying vehicles. This course will teach you about the fundamentals of electrical engineering, including how to design and implement electrical systems, how to manage risk, and how to communicate with stakeholders.
Physicist
Physicists study the fundamental laws of nature. This course will teach you about the fundamentals of physics, including how to solve physics problems and how to communicate scientific results. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of careers, including those in aerospace engineering, control systems engineering, and robotics.
Mathematician
Mathematicians study the properties of numbers, space, and other abstract objects. This course will teach you about the fundamentals of mathematics, including how to solve mathematical problems and how to communicate mathematical results. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of careers, including those in aerospace engineering, control systems engineering, and robotics.

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Controls.
Classic textbook on feedback control of dynamic systems. It covers a wide range of topics, including state-space analysis, frequency response analysis, and controller design.
Provides a comprehensive overview of nonlinear control systems. It covers a wide range of topics, including stability analysis, controller design, and applications in robotics and aerospace.
Widely used textbook on control systems engineering. It covers a wide range of topics, including classical control theory, state-space analysis, and digital control.
Classic textbook on modern control systems. It covers a wide range of topics, including state-space analysis, frequency response analysis, and controller design.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the control of nonlinear systems. It covers a wide range of topics, including stability analysis, controller design, and applications in robotics and aerospace.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the control and simulation of aircraft. It covers a wide range of topics, including aircraft dynamics, flight control systems, and simulation techniques.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the design of control systems. It covers a wide range of topics, including classical control theory, modern control theory, and digital control.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the feedback control of dynamic systems. It covers a wide range of topics, including state-space analysis, frequency response analysis, and controller design.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the analysis and design of digital control systems. It covers a wide range of topics, including discrete-time systems, state-space analysis, and controller design.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the theory and practice of robust control. It covers a wide range of topics, including stability analysis, controller design, and applications in aerospace and robotics.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Controls.
Principles of Management
Less relevant
Deployment Pipelines in AWS
Less relevant
Object Oriented Development using C#
Less relevant
Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA)
Less relevant
Salesforce Admin certification course
Less relevant
Designing a Course With edX
Less relevant
Mainframe: The Complete JCL Course from Beginner to Expert
Less relevant
Exam: Integration of Photovoltaic Systems in Microgrids
Less relevant
DevOps and Build Automation with Python
Less relevant
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser