AER372 Control Systems
The course is an introduction to dynamic systems and their modeling via differential equations as well as their feedback control. Model linearization and analysis of classic control systems in the time and frequency domains are discussed using transfer functions. Design techniques are practiced for linear time-invariant feedback control systems using root locus and bode plot techniques, considering various factors including system robustness and stability through Routh-Hurwitz and Nyquist criteria.
AER506 Spacecraft Dynamics & Control I
The course is a practical introduction to the orbital mechanics of spacecraft systems. The content includes torque-free attitude dynamics and stabilization, time-space studies of planar two-body and circular restricted three-body problems, as well as three-dimensional orbits. Preliminary orbit determination, orbital maneuvers and relative motion and rendezvous, including launch sequence and orbit attaining, and their applications to Earth satellites are also studied in the course.
AER525 Robotics
This course addresses fundamentals of analytical robotics as well as design and control of industrial robots and their instrumentation. ECE, MIE, and EngSci students can take this course by default. Topics include forward, inverse, and differential kinematics, screw representation, statics, inverse and forward dynamics, motion and force control of robot manipulators, mobile manipulators, actuation schemes, task-based and workspace design, position and force sensors, tactile sensing, and vision and image processing in robotic systems. Course instruction benefits from the courseware technology that involves a Java-based on-line simulation and other multimedia means for presenting realistic demonstrations and case studies in the context of teaching advanced notions in the classroom. A series of experiments in the Robotics Laboratory will also enhance the practical notions of the course content.
AER1503 Spacecraft Dynamics & Control II
The course is a continuation of AER506, focusing on practical issues such as orbital perturbations as well as real-life missions including spacecraft rendezvous and interplanetary and lunar trajectories.
Past Courses
AER201 Engineering Design
This course addresses open-ended and multidisciplinary design problems, with the objective of integrating design, engineering analysis, and hardware implementation. The emphasis in this course is not on studying in a classroom from a list of topics, but rather it is a project course, although the fundamentals of design as well as some practical technical notes will also be taught through weekly lectures. After a series of lectures students work in teams on a realistic project. The projects are open-ended design problems relating to fields of electromechanical, computer hardware and software, and instrumentation and interfacing.
AER303 Aerospace Laboratory I
In this course students will perform a number of experiments in the subject areas associated with the Aerospace Option curriculum, and prepare formal laboratory reports. The notion of Remote Access Aerospace Laboratories (RAAL) is implemented in the course. It means that in addition to the designated time slots in the laboratory, students can have access to the experiment setups remotely, and repeat the experiments from anywhere and at anytime. During the remote operation, students have the audio-visual input from the setup as well as all the data and system interface identical to when they work in the laboratory. Further, the entire process of data analysis, peer interaction, report preparation, submission, and marking will be done on-line. For each remote session, the instructor or a TA can monitor the experiment
and guide the student through the steps. Students will also have remote access to an application server for running various software applications, such as MATLAB, and analyzing their data. A series of lectures will also be given throughout the semester, explaining the fundamentals of the experiments.
AER304 Aerospace Laboratory II
The course is a continuation of AER303, with more emphasis on experiment design and hypothesis verification, in addition to data analysis.