Fall 2026 · George Washington University

MAE 4182

Electromechanical
Control System Design

From physical systems to mathematical models, then to controllers whose stability, performance, and robustness can be checked and defended.

Meetings: Mon / Wed · 11:10 AM–12:25 PM
Room: TOMP 201
Instructor: Prof. Chuchu Chen
GTA: Ruijie Li

Classroom access

Lecture 01 · Introduction

Available during class with the access code announced by Prof. Chen.

Enter access code

Aug 24–Dec 9, 2026 · Four written exams

Course calendar

Lecture availableExamNo class

W01

Aug 24–26

MONAug 24

Lecture 01 — Introduction, dynamic systems, and feedback control

Lecture 01 · Classroom code required

WEDAug 26

Lecture 02 — Laplace transform: from differential equations to algebra

Lecture 02 · Classroom code required

W02

Aug 31–Sep 2

MONAug 31

Lecture 03 — System modeling: transfer functions, state equations, and linearization

WEDSep 2

Lecture 04 — Block diagrams and feedback connections

W03

Sep 7–9

MONSep 7

No class — Labor Day

WEDSep 9

Lecture 05 — Stability: BIBO, asymptotic stability, and poles

W04

Sep 14–16

MONSep 14

Lecture 06 — First-order response and time constant

WEDSep 16

Lecture 07 — Second-order response and damping

W05

Sep 21–23

MONSep 21

Lecture 08 — Time-domain specifications and pole location

WEDSep 23

Exam 1

Written exam · 25%

W06

Sep 28–30

MONSep 28

Lecture 09 — Routh stability criterion I

WEDSep 30

Lecture 10 — Routh stability criterion II

W07

Oct 5–7

MONOct 5

Lecture 11 — Steady-state error and system type

WEDOct 7

Lecture 12 — Root locus I: conditions and construction

W08

Oct 12–14

MONOct 12

No class — Fall Break

WEDOct 14

Lecture 13 — Root locus II and Exam 2 review

W09

Oct 19–21

MONOct 19

Exam 2

Written exam · 25%

WEDOct 21

Lecture 14 — Frequency response

W10

Oct 26–28

MONOct 26

Lecture 15 — Bode plot fundamentals

WEDOct 28

Lecture 16 — Bode plot examples

W11

Nov 2–4

MONNov 2

Lecture 17 — Frequency-domain specifications and steady-state error from Bode plots

WEDNov 4

Lecture 18 — Relative stability: gain margin, phase margin, and Exam 3 review

W12

Nov 9–11

MONNov 9

Exam 3

Written exam · 25%

WEDNov 11

Lecture 19 — Control-system design: preliminary example

W13

Nov 16–18

MONNov 16

Lecture 20 — Time-domain design with P and PD control

WEDNov 18

Lecture 21 — Time-domain design with PI and PID control

W14

Nov 23–25

MONNov 23

No class — Thanksgiving Break

WEDNov 25

No class — Thanksgiving Break

W15

Nov 30–Dec 2

MONNov 30

Lecture 22 — Frequency-domain controller design

WEDDec 2

Lecture 23 — State-space control and LQR

W16

Dec 7–9

MONDec 7

Lecture 24 — Kalman filter, course synthesis, and Exam 4 review

MONDec 9

Exam 4

Written exam · 25% · Designated Monday schedule