320 Designing control algorithms

Design and apply algorithms to control autonomous behaviour in hardware systems.

Overview

This chapter focuses on algorithm design within a mechatronic context. Students learn to write structured, testable algorithms that process sensor input, make decisions, and control actuators. They distinguish between open and closed-loop systems, and practise developing Python-based control logic using feedback and constraints.

Targets

In this chapter, students learn to:

• Write structured control algorithms using decision logic

• Implement open and closed-loop control in code

• Use sensor feedback to refine actuator behaviour

• Analyse the features of autonomous systems

• Transition from pseudocode to Python implementation