An Interactive and Dynamic MATLAB GUI for Design and Analysis of Modern Control Systems

Interactive software tools are proven to be very useful techniques with a high impact on control education. These tools make the learning process more interactive and involve students’ participation and focus. The paper describes the features, functionalities, and applications of ‘Advanced CS’, an interactive graphical user interface (GUI) tool for time domain analysis, frequency domain analysis, and designing of the modern linear control system. It covers state-space modeling, time and frequency domain analysis, PID controller designing, state feedback controller designing by using pole-placement and quadratic regulator method, and full-order and minimum-order state observer designing. The tool, whose main features are simplicity, interactive nature, ease of use, and dynamic nature, is developed using MATLAB for the enhancement of control education. Its capability of updating performance, output parameters, and graphical elements immediately on change of system parameters makes it dynamic and makes the iterative process of analysis and designing simple and easy. Its capability to interface with the hardware setup in real-time not only adds to the purpose of control education enhancement but also validates the analysis and design.