DRT 226 · 3(2-3-5) · Year/term 2/2

Fundamentals of Control and Autopilot Systems

ระบบควบคุมและออโตไพลอตเบื้องต้น

Progress
Notional hours: 150 h (online/self-study 75 · in class/lab 75)

Course description

Feedback control, stability and directional control, autopilot systems, flight controllers, flight modes, parameter configuration, and basic UAS control-system testing.

Thai description

ระบบควบคุมป้อนกลับ เสถียรภาพ การควบคุมทิศทาง Autopilot, Flight Controller, Flight Modes การกำหนดค่าพารามิเตอร์ และการทดสอบระบบควบคุม UAS

Description source: Curriculum draft (25 Sep 2026)

Course learning outcomes (CLO)

CLOOutcomePLO
CLO1Model dynamics and analyse system responsePLO1
CLO2Design and tune PID controllersPLO2PLO4
CLO3Explain autopilot structure and flight modesPLO2PLO3

Learning modules

1Control systems and models
Weeks 1–3 · 30 h
1 KU

Online (before class) · 15 h

Study the assigned knowledge units in advance, review media and take the module quiz

In class / field · 15 h

Lab or field practice from worksheets with a safety checklist

Learning evidence: Checked worksheets and quiz results

2Response and stability
Weeks 4–6 · 30 h
1 KU

Online (before class) · 15 h

Study the assigned knowledge units in advance, review media and take the module quiz

In class / field · 15 h

Lab or field practice from worksheets with a safety checklist

Learning evidence: Checked worksheets and quiz results

3PID controllers
Weeks 7–9 · 30 h
2 KU

Online (before class) · 15 h

Study the assigned knowledge units in advance, review media and take the module quiz

In class / field · 15 h

Lab or field practice from worksheets with a safety checklist

Learning evidence: Checked worksheets and quiz results

4Autopilots and flight modes
Weeks 10–12 · 30 h
2 KU

Online (before class) · 15 h

Study the assigned knowledge units in advance, review media and take the module quiz

In class / field · 15 h

Lab or field practice from worksheets with a safety checklist

Learning evidence: Checked worksheets and quiz results

5Control experiments in SITL
Weeks 13–15 · 30 h
2 KU

Online (before class) · 15 h

Study the assigned knowledge units in advance, review media and take the module quiz

In class / field · 15 h

Lab or field practice from worksheets with a safety checklist

Learning evidence: Checked worksheets and quiz results

Assessment (draft)

Labs and worksheets35%
Module quizzes10%
Midterm examination20%
Mini-project or practical exam35%

Knowledge domain

Key references

  1. Nise, N. S. (2019). Control systems engineering (8th ed.). Wiley.
  2. Åström, K. J., & Murray, R. M. (2021). Feedback systems: An introduction for scientists and engineers (2nd ed.). Princeton University Press. link
  3. PX4 Autopilot. PX4 user and developer guide. link
  4. ArduPilot Dev Team. ArduPilot documentation. link