Assignment Number 1 - Control Systems
(Humanized Answers)
1. Name three applications for feedback control systems.
Examples are cruise control in cars, temperature control in air conditioners, and keeping the speed
steady in electric motors.
2. Name three reasons for using feedback control systems and at least one reason for not
using them.
We use feedback systems because they help reduce error, improve stability, and handle
disturbances better. One downside is they are more complicated and costlier than open-loop
systems.
3. Give three examples of open-loop systems.
A toaster, a basic washing machine without sensors, and a lawn sprinkler with a fixed timer are
common open-loop systems.
4. Functionally, how do closed-loop systems differ from open-loop systems?
An open-loop system just follows the input without checking the result, while a closed-loop system
uses feedback to compare the output with what’s expected and makes corrections.
5. State one condition under which the error signal of a feedback control system would not
be the difference between the input and the output.
This happens when we define the error as the difference between the reference (set point) and the
feedback signal, not directly between the input and the output.
6. If the error signal is not the difference between input and output, by what general name
can we describe the error signal?
We can call it the control error or actuating signal.
7. Name two advantages of having a computer in the loop.
A computer makes it easier to run advanced control methods and allows quick changes or
adjustments in the system.
8. Name the three major design criteria for control systems.
The main goals are stability, accuracy, and fast response.
9. Name the two parts of a system’s response.
The two parts are transient response (how it behaves at the start) and steady-state response (how
it behaves in the long run).
10. Physically, what happens to a system that is unstable?
If a system is unstable, its output keeps growing or oscillating instead of settling down.
11. Instability is attributable to what part of the total response?
Instability comes from the transient part of the response.
12. Describe a typical control system analysis task.
A common task is checking if the system is stable and measuring things like steady-state error or
speed of response using methods such as root locus or Bode plots.
13. Describe a typical control system design task.
A typical design task is choosing and adjusting a controller, like a PID, so the system meets
requirements for accuracy, speed, and stability.
14. Adjustments of the forward path gain can cause changes in the transient response. True
or false?
True, changing the gain affects how the system responds at the start.
15. Name three approaches to the mathematical modeling of control systems.
The three main approaches are differential equations, transfer functions, and state-space
representation.
16. Briefly describe each of your answers to Question 15.
Differential equations show the system’s behavior based on physical laws. Transfer functions are
useful in frequency-domain analysis and show input-output relations in the Laplace form.
State-space uses matrices to describe the system, which is especially good for modern and
multi-variable systems.
