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UNIT 01-CPE 310-381

Introduction to Control Systems

1. Introduction
2. Terminologies
3. Examples of control systems
3.1 Furnace Temperature Control Systems
3.2 Room Temperature Control System
4. Classification of Control Systems

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Introduction

A control system is a dynamic system which as time evolves

behaves in a certain prescribed way, generally without human
interference.
Control theory deals with the analysis and synthesis of control systems.
The essential components of a control system are:
the plant, which is the system to be controlled;
one or more sensors, which give information about the plant and
the controller, the heart of the control system, which compares the
measured values to their desired values and adjusts the input variables to
the plant.
The general block diagram of a control system is as follows:

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Before we can discuss control systems, some basic terminologies

must be defined.
Controlled Variable: The controlled variable is the quantity or
condition that is measured and controlled.
Manipulated Variable: The manipulated variable is the quantity or
condition that is varied by the controller so as to affect the value of
the controlled variable. Normally, the controlled variable is the output
of the system.
Controller: Controller means measuring the value of the controlled
variable of the system & applying the manipulated variable to the
system to correct or to limit the deviation of the measured value to
the desired value.

Actuator: Device that can influence the process and change the
process output
Plant or Process: A plant is a piece of equipment, which is a set of
machine parts functioning together. The purpose of which is to
perform a particular operation. Example: Furnace, Space craft etc.,

System A system is a combination of components that works

together and performs certain objective.
Disturbance: A disturbance is a signal that tends to affect the value of
the output of a system. If a disturbance is created inside the system,
it is called internal. While an external disturbance is generated
outside the system.

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Feedback Control: Feedback control refers to an operation that, in the

presence of disturbances, tends to reduce the difference between the
output of a system and some reference input
Open loop System: Those systems in which the output has no effect
on the control action are called open-loop control systems. One
practical example is a washing machine. The machine does not
measure the output signal, that is, the cleanliness of the clothes.
Closed loop System: Feedback control systems are often referred to as
closed-loop control systems. In a closed loop control system the
actuating error signal, which is the difference between the input signal
and the feedback signal (which may be the output signal itself or a
function of the output signal and its derivatives and/or integrals), is
fed to the controller so as to reduce the error and bring the output of
the system to a desired value. The term closed loop control always
implies the use of feedback control action in order to reduce system error.

3.1 Furnace Temperature Control Systems

Consider the schematic diagram of the temperature control of an electric furnace.

The temperature in the electric furnace is measured by a thermometer, which is an analog
device.
The analog temperature is converted to a digital temperature by an A/D converter.
The digital temperature is fed to a controller through an interface.
This digital temperature is compared with the programmed input temperature, and if
there is any discrepancy (error), the controller sends out a signal to the heater, through an
interface, amplifier, and relay, to bring the furnace temperature to a desired value.

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The controlled system is the electric furnace and

the controlled variable is the temperature in the furnace.
The temperature in the furnace is converted to electrical voltage via
the thermometer and the A/D converter.
The difference between the desired temperature (reference) and the
actual temperature in the furnace is the error signal ".

In this control system the plant is the home and the heating
equipment.
The sensor generally consists of a temperature transducer inside
the home, sometimes complemented by an outside temperature
transducer.
The controller is usually combined with the inside temperature
sensor in the thermostat, which switches the heating equipment on
and off as necessary.
The actuator is the motor combined with the valve.

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The Control System can be classified mainly depending upon,

Method of analysis & design, as Linear & Non-Linear Systems.
The type of the signal, as Time Varying, Time Invariant, Continuous data,
Discrete data systems etc.,
The type of system components, as Electro Mechanical, Hydraulic, Thermal,
Pneumatic Control systems etc.,
The main purpose, as Position control & Velocity control Systems.
Linear & Non-Linear Systems: In a linear system, the principle of superposition can be applied.
In non-linear system, this principle cant be applied.
Therefore a linear system is that which obeys superposition principle & homogeneity.
Time Varying & Time Invariant Systems: While operating a control system, if the
parameters
are unaffected by the time, then the system is called Time Invariant Control System.
Most physical systems have parameters changing with time. If this variation is measurable
during the system operation then the system is called Time Varying System.
If there is no non-linearity in the time varying system, then the system may be called as Linear
Time varying System.