Improving Aerospace Engineering Students' Achievements by an Open Aero Control Experiment Apparatus

This paper describes the development of an aero control experiment apparatus (ACEA) for use in aerospace control practical courses. The ACEA incorporates a systematic multihierarchy learning and teaching method, and was designed to improve aerospace engineering students' understanding of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control systems. It offers a number of standard experimental modules at three levels: component, system, and simulation and evaluation. The software and hardware design methods used in the modules were chosen to allow students to conduct experiments in a simple, more hands-on manner. As a result, they were able to select or reconfigure their experiments and so continuously improve their skills and extend the ACEA itself. The practical curriculum modules-grouped in three skill levels of basic experiments, case study, and independent design-were applied in a 3-year M.Sc. course, UAV Control Systems. The marking criteria created to evaluate students' achievements are presented, along with some results of this evaluation.

[1]  Albert J. Rosa,et al.  The Role of the Laboratory in Undergraduate Engineering Education , 2005 .

[2]  Seyed Ali Shirsavar,et al.  Three-phase machines and drives-equipment for a laboratory-based course , 2006, IEEE Transactions on Education.

[3]  James O. Carey,et al.  The systematic design of instruction , 1978 .

[4]  Marsette Vona,et al.  Teaching Robotics Software With the Open Hardware Mobile Manipulator , 2013, IEEE Transactions on Education.

[5]  James McLurkin,et al.  Using Multi-Robot Systems for Engineering Education: Teaching and Outreach With Large Numbers of an Advanced, Low-Cost Robot , 2013, IEEE Transactions on Education.

[6]  Aldo Cipriano,et al.  A low-cost altitude control system for the Kadet Senior radio-controlled airplane , 2003, IEEE Trans. Educ..

[7]  Sarah Younie,et al.  Open education resources and higher education academic practice , 2013 .

[8]  Graham C. Goodwin,et al.  Emulation-Based Virtual Laboratories: A Low-Cost Alternative to Physical Experiments in Control Engineering Education , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Education.

[9]  Francis Howard,et al.  Digital learning objects: a local response to the California State University system initiative , 2009 .

[10]  Monica Vladoiu.  Open courseware initiatives - after 10 years , 2011, 2011 RoEduNet International Conference 10th Edition: Networking in Education and Research.

[11]  William B. Dunbar,et al.  MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROL OF A THRUST-VECTORED FLIGHT CONTROL EXPERIMENT , 2002 .

[12]  P.S. Steif,et al.  Enhancing traditional classroom instruction with web-based Statics course , 2007, 2007 37th Annual Frontiers In Education Conference - Global Engineering: Knowledge Without Borders, Opportunities Without Passports.

[13]  Itziar Martija,et al.  A Training Tool and Methodology to Allow Concurrent Multidisciplinary Experimental Projects in Engineering Education , 2012, IEEE Transactions on Education.

[14]  Emil M. Petriu,et al.  Experiment-Based Teaching in Advanced Control Engineering , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Education.

[15]  C.S. Burrus,et al.  Connexions: a New Information Technology for Education , 2007, 2007 International Symposium on Signals, Circuits and Systems.

[16]  Smriti Srivastava,et al.  A Laboratory Testbed for Embedded Fuzzy Control , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Education.

[17]  Manavaalan Gunasekaran,et al.  Low-Cost Undergraduate Control Systems Experiments Using Microcontroller-Based Control of a DC Motor , 2012, IEEE Transactions on Education.

[18]  Athanasios Drigas,et al.  A Virtual Lab and e-learning system for renewable energy sources , 2005 .

[19]  Lyle D. Feisel,et al.  e-Learning: The Challenge for Engineering Education , 2002 .

[20]  A. Jochheim,et al.  The Virtual Lab for controlling real experiments via Internet , 1999, Proceedings of the 1999 IEEE International Symposium on Computer Aided Control System Design (Cat. No.99TH8404).