Design of a lab experiment involving a mass-spring systemto teach and to learn feedback control.

A small mobile experiment shall be designed which consists of a mass and a spring to study feedback control effects. The position of the mass is the control variable, the control input is for instance elongation of a spring. The goal is to prepare a very simple experiment for which control design methods are applied. This enables students to learn much easier control system design. The idea is to have a similar learning platform for students as shown for a mobile water level control experiment, a simple temperature control experiment and the distance control experiment. Tasks and Challenges Define a concept of the experiment based on the criteria a) easy to rebuild for students b) low cost c) small and portable including selection of sensors, actuators and a micro-computer (Arduino or Raspberry) Realize the experiment with the chosen concept Perform a physical model and an experimental model, and build a Simulink model including a control block with the same interfaces as in the real experiment Perform the simulation and the experiment, compare and evaluate Write a step-by-step user manual for a rebuild of the experiment Interest in system control Basic MATLAB/Simulink knowledge Interest in working with low cost micro-computers (Arduino or Raspberry)