A new personal, hands-on control systems platform, the Edukit system, has proven successful in instruction for first year through senior multidisciplinary engineering students along with remarkable developments by student independent research programs. The Edukit system is the first low cost, open source, complete control system platform available for any student. The Edukit system includes both stable and unstable plant configuration and introduces exciting and critical state-of-the-art digital motor actuators and digital sensors. The real-time system is available as an open-source distribution. A Real Time Control System Workbench operating on each student’s computer provides visualization of operation of their Edukit as well as providing instantaneous control algorithm and configuration updates. Open-source tools support design of Output Feedback and Full State Feedback. Data acquisition and processing tools enable performance evaluation, including frequency response of all sensitivity functions. Finally, a set of online tutorials provides a full range of student guidance and development examples. Lecture and laboratory courses have successfully applied Edukit systems with both fully remote and in-person instruction. This presentation will describe the Edukit system, exciting design and operation methods, remarkable student successes, and the open-source guidance resources for instructors and students.
Distinguished Professor of Engineering