INTRODUCTION TO

FEEDBACK AND CONTROL SYSTEMS

CONTROL SYSTEMS
System: arrangement of physical components connected or
related in such a matter as to form an entire unit
Control: regulate, direct or command
Control System: arrangement of physical components
connected in such a matter as to direct, command, regulate
or attain a certain objective
CONTROL SYSTEMS
Input: applied to the system from an external source
Output: actual signal from system
Control Action: responsible for activating the system

angle of
reflection
regulated by
means of the
screw
EXAMPLE OF CONTROL SYSTEMS
person driving an automobile
Direction or Driver’s hands,
Heading of
Heading of the eyes, brain and
Vehicle
Road vehicle
OPEN-LOOP CONTROL SYSTEM
• Any physical system which does not automatically correct
for variation in its output
• Sensitive to disturbances
• Not measuring anything
Disturbances

Input Signal Controller Plant/Process Controlled Output

OPEN-LOOP CONTROL SYSTEM
Examples:
• Automatic Washing Machine
Desired Time Timer Washing Clean Clothes
(Input) (Controller) (Process) (Output)

quality of cleanliness cannot be controlled

• Toaster Room Temperature

Desired Time Timer Toasting Bread Color

(Input) (Controller) (Process) (Output)

room temperature may affect heating of toaster

 OPEN-LOOP CONTROL SYSTEM
Examples:
Room Temperature
• Microwave
Desired Time Timer Heating Heat Level
(Input) (Controller) (Process) (Output)

• Toaster Room Temperature

Handle
Desired Temperature Shower Water Temperature
Position
(Input) (Process) (Output)
(Controller)
40C might not be 40C due to room temperature
OPEN-LOOP CONTROL SYSTEM
Advantages:
• Simple construction and design
• Economic
• Easy maintenance
• Stability
OPEN-LOOP CONTROL SYSTEM
Disadvantages:
• Incorrect and unreliable
• Internal disturbance
• Recalibration is required time to time
CLOSE-LOOP CONTROL SYSTEM
• Any physical system which does automatically correct for
variation in its output
• The output is constantly monitored and adjusted to the
required value by the system Disturbances

Error Detector

Input Signal + Error

Controller Actuating
Plant/Process Controlled Output
- Signal Signal

Feedback
Signal
Feedback
CLOSE-LOOP CONTROL SYSTEM
• Automatic Electric Iron

• Speed Controller
 CLOSE-LOOP CONTROL SYSTEM
• Driving Road Disturbances
Comparison between
observed direction and
required direction
Heading
Required Vehicle along the
Brain Hands
Direction of Dynamics road
+ Error in the (Controller) (Actuator)
the Driver - direction (Process)

Observed
direction Observation
by eyes
CLOSE-LOOP CONTROL SYSTEMS
Advantages:
• Accuracy is high
• Senses changes in output due to environment or
parametric changes, internal disturbances
• Reduced effect of non-linearities
• Facilitates automation
CLOSE-LOOP CONTROL SYSTEMS
Disadvantages
• Complicated in design and maintenance
• System may become unstable
• High bandwidth
FEEDBACK
• Permits the output (controlled variable) to be compared
with the input to the system so that appropriate action may
be formed
CHARACTERISTIC OF FEEDBACK
• Increase accuracy
• Tendency toward oscillation or instability
• Sensitivity to parameter variations
• Reduced effect of non-linearities
• Increased bandwidth