Control engineering

The main task of control systems is the targeted and automatic control of technical processes in all fields of engineering - from chemical engineering to electrical drive technology and high-precision machine tools to applications in robotics. Control engineering makes use of different tools and methods of engineering and advanced mathematics as well as of physics and chemistry. Thus, it is a highly interdisciplinary science. Methods of control engineering play a key role in the "Industry 4.0". The focus of the institute in teaching and research is set in an appropriate manner.

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Important topics

Teachning

The teaching activities of the institute start in the main courses of the diploma programs Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics and Renewable Energy Systems or in the corresponding master programs. They include both a wide range of lectures, exercises and laboratories in the basic subjects of control engineering as well as in-depth lectures on selected areas of expertise in order to be prepared for the most demanding challenges.

Science

In research the institute focuses on the development and improvement of methods for the control and observation of systems and processes based on their mathematical models. This includes both purely theoretical work as well as the processing of concrete technological problems in the context of contract research. The laboratory of the institute allows prototype constructions and their test.

Prof. Klaus Röbenack

The head of the Institute of Control Theory is Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Dipl.-Math. Klaus Röbenack. Professor Röbenack’s work focuses on the controller and observer design by use of differential geometrical methods, the application of algorithmic (automatic) differentiation techniques in control engineering and the reconstruction not directly measured quantities in technological processes.

The profile of the institute

The Institute of Control theory is working on the systematic design of control and monitoring devices for processes based on their mathematical models. The main focus is on the mathematical modeling, the theory and application of flatness based methods for lumped and distributed parameter systems and the observer design for nonlinear systems.

In university education it is responsible for the training in control technology in the degree programs of electrical engineering, mechatronics and renewable energy systems. Offered are a total of eleven lectures plus exercises, two seminars and a two- and two one-semester laboratories.

The institute is headed by Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Dipl.-Math. Klaus Röbenack and currently employs 14 staff members. It was founded in 1992 with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. rer. nat. Kurt Reinschke as director.