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There are 4 modules in this course
This course will explain the core structure in any autonomous system which includes sensors, actuators, and potentially communication networks. Then, it will cover different formal modeling frameworks used for autonomous systems including state-space representations (difference or differential equations), timed automata, hybrid automata, and in general transition systems. It will describe solutions and behaviors of systems and different interconnections between systems.
This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s MS in Computer Science degrees offered on the Coursera platform. These fully accredited graduate degrees offer targeted courses, short 8-week sessions, and pay-as-you-go tuition. Admission is based on performance in three preliminary courses, not academic history. CU degrees on Coursera are ideal for recent graduates or working professionals. Learn more:
MS in Computer Science: https://coursera.org/degrees/ms-computer-science-boulder
In this introductory module, we delve into the world of autonomous and cyber-physical systems, their significance, structure, and applications. By studying real-world examples, such as the Ariane 5 rocket failure, adaptive cruise control, and self-driving cars, we will grasp the foundational understanding of the importance of modeling in autonomous systems. Moreover, we'll discuss key components of these systems, the tight interaction between hardware and software, and the ubiquity of autonomous systems in various sectors.
What's included
3 videos11 readings
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 18 minutes
Meet Your Instructor!•1 minute
Outline of Specialization•6 minutes
Introduction to Course 1•11 minutes
11 readings•Total 101 minutes
Course Updates and Accessibility Support•1 minute
Earn Academic Credit for your Work!•10 minutes
Course Support•10 minutes
Assessment Expectations•10 minutes
AI Citation and Acknowledgement•10 minutes
Important Prerequisites•10 minutes
Notice for Degree-Seeking Learners•10 minutes
Logistics: Important Information about Course Assignments and Final Exam•10 minutes
Logistics: Lecture Slides, Textbook, and Readings•10 minutes
Overview of Module 1•10 minutes
Ariane Flight V88•10 minutes
Foundations of Autonomous Systems Modeling
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
In Module 2, we delve into the nuances of system modeling. Through instructional videos, students grapple with system definitions, state diagrams, and transition systems. Relevant assignments further solidify this knowledge. Real-world examples, like the Northeast Blackout of 2003, underscore the importance of precise modeling, while practical systems such as a Beverage Vending Machine and Turnstile illustrate core concepts. A truly academic journey into the essence of system modeling awaits.
What's included
3 videos2 readings3 assignments
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 62 minutes
System's Definition and Its State Diagram•37 minutes
Modeling Sequential Circuits As Systems•20 minutes
Modeling Labeled Transition Systems As Systems•5 minutes
Module 3 introduces students to the fundamental principles of modeling dynamic systems, focusing on translational mechanical systems, rotational mechanical systems, and analog circuits. Emphasizing the mathematical relationships underlying these systems, the course progresses into more specific examples and dives deep into timed and hybrid automata, providing a comprehensive understanding of the role of timing in systems modeling.
Modeling Example: Electric Passive Filter•12 minutes
Modeling Example: Cart With iInverted pPendulum•6 minutes
Modeling Sample-and-Hold Linear Systems As Systems•6 minutes
Timed Automata: Syntax•18 minutes
Timed Automata: Semantics•20 minutes
Hybrid Automata•14 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Overview of Module 3•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 55 minutes
Assignment 3: Vending Machine•30 minutes
Assignment 4: Robot•25 minutes
Systems' Behaviors and Composition
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
Module 4 dives deep into understanding system solutions, behaviors, and various compositions. Learners will be introduced to the mathematical representations of systems and their behaviors. Through a series of engaging video content, learners will explore parallel, serial, and feedback compositions. Additionally, the module provides practical assignments to enhance comprehension and a detailed study of system modeling.
What's included
4 videos1 reading2 assignments
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 62 minutes
Systems' Solutions and Behaviours•21 minutes
System Composition: Parallel Composition•3 minutes
System Composition: Serial Composition•18 minutes
System Composition: Feedback Composition•20 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Overview of Module 4•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 70 minutes
Assignment 5: The finite behavior of the basic system S•30 minutes
Assignment 6: Traffic Light•40 minutes
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Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
View eligible degrees
Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
¹Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information.
CU Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners on one of the most spectacular college campuses in the country. As one of 34 U.S. public institutions in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), we have a proud tradition of academic excellence, with five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
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What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.