Computer system development and investigation of a digital control technique : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology in Systems Engineering at Massey University

Abstract

This thesis concerns the implementation of direct digital control, using a PDP/8F minicomputer. The project has been undertaken to gain a better understanding of certain aspects of the control theory used, and also the effective use of the minicomputer. The use of this system in the laboratory for the control of a typical system is described. Direct digital control (DDC) is becoming increasingly important and is often replacing analog means using three-term controllers. Digital control is applied to a continuous process, which is sampled and processed as discrete time data. The z-transformation procedure is especially convenient and useful in the analysis of these systems. [From Introduction]