Control Theory Guide

This is the section of the guide on Control Theory. Control Theory is “a field of control engineering and applied mathematics that deals with the control of dynamical systems”.¹ In simple terms, Control Theory is using mathematical formulas to drive a system to its desired state. Motors only speak the language of voltages and percentages, so we can’t directly set its acceleration, velocity, or posistion.² For that reason, we have to calculate voltages to get a motor to do basically anything. After reading this guide, you will have a basic understanding of the control theory needed for most common FRC applications.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_theory ↩

2. For most common applications, we use control theory to set specific positions and velocities. It is very rare that we will have to set something else. ↩