Comparing microcontroller and analog methods for tracking control experiments

This paper describes the development of undergraduate laboratory experiments for solving tracking control problems by using two different approaches. The first approach is based on microcontrollers and the second approach is an analog approach based on operational amplifiers. The main objective is to compare by hands-on experiments the advantages and disadvantages of these two approaches. Preliminary results of the comparison are presented in this paper. These lab experiments are developed to increase the competency skills of the students rather than just an additional topic to be covered in the course. These experiments will provide guidance to the students in making better choices of tracking controllers in their future robotics or other control system design projects.