OVERVIEW

This subject provides analytical and numerical (in MATLAB environment) tools for the analysis, modelling and synthesis/design of nonlinear dynamical systems.

Several case studies and working examples are proposed, with emphasis on models of oscillators (e.g., circuits and neurons), PLLs, power converters.

On request of at least one student, the lectures and teaching activities will be given in English, otherwise in Italian.

AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

It is expected that at the end of this subject the student will be able to analyze (analytically and/or numerically) a nonlinear dynamical system, even if dependent on parameters. Moreover, he/she should be able to synthesize some classes of nonlinear dynamical systems. To this end, during the lectures the student will have to learn and apply analytical and numerical (MATLAB) tools for simulation, analysis and synthesis of nonlinear dynamical systems.

PREREQUISITES

Basic concepts of mathematics, physics, signal processing, automatic controls, electronics.

TEACHING METHODS

Combination of:

-) traditional lectures (about 30 hours), including demos with hardware-implemented real systems

-) "flipped classroom" MATLAB sessions (about 20 hours), in which small groups of student prepare together (team-based learning) and teach individually to all students software tools for simulating and analysing dynamical systems

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

-) Continuous-time and discrete-time "smooth" dynamical systems

-) Analysis with fixed parameters

-) Stationary (equilibrium points), periodic (limit cycles), quasi-periodic (tori), aperiodic (chaos) steady state

-) Coupled oscillators and networks of dynamical systems

-) Analysis with varying parameters (bifurcations)

-) Continuous-time switching systems

-) Numerical methods for the analysis of dynamical systems

-) Electronic oscillators (Van der Pol, Colpitts) and phase-locking systems (PLL)

-) Electronic power converters

Some lectures are concerned with MATLAB computer simulation exercises, aimed to apply and reinforce the main teaching topics.

This subject focuses on topics of great scientific-technological interest, such as the design of electronic oscillators and switching converters. As such, it contributes to the following targets of the Sustainable Development Goals listed in the ONU Agenda 2030:
8.2 (Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors)
9.5 (Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending)

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

-) Notes provided by the lecturer (in Italian)

-) M. Parodi, M. Storace, Linear and Nonlinear Circuits: Basic & Advanced Concepts, Vol. 2, Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering, Springer, 2020, ISBN: 978-3-030-35044-4 (ebook) or 978-3-030-35043-7 (hardcover), DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-35044-4

-) S.H. Strogatz, Nonlinear dynamics and chaos, Addison-Wesley, 1994

-) R.W. Erickson, D. Maksimovic. Fundamentals of power electronics. Springer Science & Business Media, 2007.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARCO STORACE (President)

ALESSANDRO RAVERA

MATTEO LODI (President Substitute)

ALBERTO OLIVERI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

See

https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/index.php?view=easycourse&_lang=it&include=corso

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

a) Oral examination (max. score: 30)

b) “flipped classroom” lessons (max. score: 15) + oral examination (max. score: 15)

Upon student demand, the oral examination can be focused on the analysis of a specific nonlinear dynamical system (assigned by the teacher), using the analytical and numerical tools introduced during the lectures.

Students with learning disorders ("disturbi specifici di apprendimento", DSA) will be allowed to use specific modalities and supports that will be determined on a case-by-case basis in agreement with the delegate of the Engineering courses in the Committee for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The assessment will be based on:

-) communication skills

-) knowledge and comprehension of the subject topics

-) ability of drawing connections among ideas

-) ability of analyzing nonlinear dynamical systems

-) ability of deciding what subset of tools can be (or must be) used to analyze a given system (i.e., of using information in partially new situations) and of justifying each decision

Exam schedule