INTRODUCTION TO FEEDBACK

AND CONTROL SYSTEMS Input

 signal or excitation applied to drive its behavior or
System achieve a desired operational state
 interconnected set of elements or components Output
working together to achieve a common objective.  response or result produced after processing the
 transform input to output input
Control System Disturbances
 framework or mechanism that commands,  unwanted external or internal signals that affects
regulates, or directs the behavior the performance or stability of a control system
 achieve a specific outcome Automation
 technology and methodology used to operate a
KEY COMPONENTS OF A CONTROL SYSTEM system with minimal or no human intervention
Design
Plant  process of conceptualizing and planning, to meet
 component that managed or controlled. defined objectives and specifications
 primary system or process Specifications
 Example: In a temperature control system,  detailed set of requirements that define what a
the plant could be a furnace that heats a space. system and expected to be and do.
Simulation
Actuator  virtual representation used to study, analyze, and
 Converts control signals from the controller predict system behavior by applying actual or
 provides motive power to change the plant's state. simulated input signals.
 Examples: Valves that regulate fluid flow Optimization
 process of fine-tuning control system parameters
Sensor Block Diagrams
 Measures the output or state of the plant  Graphical representations of control systems
 converts the signal interpretable by the controller. Signal Flow Graph (SFG)
 essential feedback to enable necessary corrections.  graphical tool used to represent and analyze the
 Examples: Thermometers for temperature relationships among variables in a system.
measurement  consists of nodes connected by directed branches
Feedback Signal
Controller  measurement that is sent back to the controller to
 "brain" of the control system adjust and correct the system’s performance
 manages the relationship between input and Negative Feedback
output  output signal is fed back in such a way that it
 responsible for decision-making and system reduces or subtracts from the input signal
optimization Regulator
 Example: Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC),  designed to maintain specific output values at fixed
Microcontrollers and computers or nearly constant levels despite the presence of
disturbances.
EXAMPLE: Manual control system for regulating the level of Servo System
the fluid in a tank.  to manage mechanical outputs, commonly used in
robotics
Stability
 property that describes its ability to produce a
bounded and predictable response
 considered unstable if its output grows without
limit or behaves erratically.
Multivariable Control System
 with more than one input or output variable that
requires simultaneous regulation.
Trade-off
 process of making compromises

Reference - desired level of fluid

Actuator - valve (opens & close the fluid flow)
Sensor - visual of the operator
Controller – operator TYPES OF CONTROL SYSTEMS
Basic Terminologies
Open Loop Systems  Output Correction
“non-feedback systems”  Real-time Monitoring
 output is not fed back into the system for
monitoring or correction ADVANTAGES
 operates based on a predefined set of instructions  Accuracy
without making adjustments based on the actual  Less Affected by Noise
output produced.  Improved Performance
 Error Correction
EXAMPLES
 Electric Fan, Washing Machines, Microwave Ovens DISADVANTAGES
 Complexity
 Costly
 Prone to Instability
 Slower Response Time

COMPARISON BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED LOOP

Block Diagram of an Open Loop System SYSTEMS

Feedback
KEY CHARACTERISTICS  Open Loop: None, there is no feedback mechanism to
 No Feedback Mechanism adjust the system based on the output.
 Output is Not Monitored or Corrected  Closed Loop: Present, a feedback loop continuously
 Predefined Operations monitors and adjusts the system based on real-time
output.
Complexity
ADVANTAGES  Open Loop: Simple, the system follows a set path
 Simplicity without needing real-time adjustments, making it easy
 Stability to design and operate.
 Cost-Effective  Closed Loop: Complex, requires sensors, controllers, and
 Ease of Maintenance feedback mechanisms to monitor and adjust the system
in real time.
DISADVANTAGES Accuracy
 Inaccuracy  Open Loop: Low, errors or deviations from the desired
output cannot be corrected due to lack of feedback,
 Inability to correct errors
leading to inaccuracies.
 Sensitivity to External Disturbances  Closed Loop: High, feedback allows continuous
 Limited Application adjustments to minimize errors and improve accuracy.
Cost
 Open Loop: Low, fewer components are needed (no
Closed Loop Systems sensors, feedback devices, or complex controllers),
“feedback system” making it more cost-effective.
 output is continuously monitored and compared to  Closed Loop: High, additional components such as
the desired setpoint sensors, actuators, and controllers increase the cost.
Stability
 feedback is used to make adjustments in real-time
 Open Loop: High, stable because there are no dynamic
 operates by using sensors to measure the actual adjustments that could lead to instability.
output  Closed Loop: May oscillate, the system can become
unstable if the feedback loop is not properly tuned,
EXAMPLES leading to oscillations or overcompensation.
 Human Body, Inverter AC, Missile Launcher Response to Disturbances
 Open Loop: Limited, cannot respond to changes in input
or disturbances, which may lead to deviations from the
desired outcome.
 Closed Loop: Adaptive, adjusts dynamically to
disturbances or changes in input, improving system
performance in varying conditions.
Maintenance
 Open Loop: Easy, simpler maintenance due to fewer
components and absence of a feedback mechanism.
 Closed Loop: More challenging, maintenance requires
monitoring and calibration of sensors and controllers
Block Diagram of a Closed Loop System due to the intricate nature of feedback systems.

FEEDBACK MECHANISMS
KEY CHARACTERISTICS POSITIVE FEEDBACK
 Feedback Mechanism
  Output amplifies or reinforces the input or initial  blocks are connected by arrows to represent the
disturbance flow of signals or information between
 increase in output leads to a further increase in the components
system’s input COMPONENTS
CHARACTERISTICS  Blocks: Represent system components or
 Amplification subsystem
 Instability  Arrows (Signal Paths): Show the flow of signals
 Exponential Growth between blocks
ADVANTAGES  Summing Points: Indicate where multiple signals
 Signal Amplification are combined
 Quick Response and Actuation  Branch Points: Points where the signal splits to
 Switching and Oscillation feed different parts of the system
DISADVANTAGES SIGNIFICANCE
 Instability and Risk of Runaway Behavior  Simplifies Complex Systems: Helps break down
 Potential for Damage complex systems into more manageable parts
 Difficulty in Control  Clear Representation of Interactions: Shows how
APPLICATIONS different components interact with each other
 Regenerative Amplifiers  System Analysis: Allows for easy computation of
 Oscillators overall system performance by manipulating
 Bistable Systems (Flip-Flops) transfer functions
 Relay Systems
BLOCK DIAGRAM REDUCTION
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK
 Output is used to reduce or counteract the input
 senses any deviation from the desired state and
adjusts to bring the system back to its setpoint.
CHARACTERISTICS
 Error Correction
 Stabilization Figure 1: Single block diagram representation
 Maintaining Equilibrium
ADVANTAGES
 Improved Accuracy
 Enhanced Stability
 Reduced Sensitivity to Disturbances
DISADVANTAGES
 Reduced Gain
 Complexity
 Response Time
Figure 3: Block diagram components
APPLICATIONS
 Temperature Control in HVAC Systems
 Audio Amplifiers
 Power Supply Regulation
 Automated Manufacturing Systems
 Control Systems in Robotics

Why discuss positive feedback if negative feedback is more

desirable in control systems?
 Understanding System Behavior: Helps analyze
how systems become unstable or oscillate, aiding
in designing systems to avoid such issues.
 Stability Analysis: Crucial for examining amplified
disturbances and preventing instability.
 Unintentional Positive Feedback: Identifying
feedback caused by imperfections ensures reliable
troubleshooting.
 Specialized Applications: Useful for niche designs
like oscillators or specific control algorithms.

BLOCK DIAGRAMS
 simplified representations of complex systems,
where each block represents a component or
operation