15ECE302 Control systems Engineering

Problem sheet

Chapter 1

1. A room temperature control system operates by sensing the difference between the
thermostat setting and the actual temperature and then opening a fuel valve an amount
proportional to this difference. Draw a functional closed-loop block diagram (similar to block
diagram shown for antenna control system) identifying the input and output transducers,
the controller, and the plant. Further, identify the input and output signals of all subsystems.
2. A university wants to establish a control system model that represents the student
population as an output, with the desired student population as an input. The administration
determines the rate of admissions by comparing the current and desired student
populations. The admissions office then uses this rate to admit students. Draw a functional
block diagram showing the administration and the admissions office as blocks of the system.
Also show the following signals: the desired student population, the actual student
population, the desired student rate as determined by the administration, the actual student
rate as generated by the admissions office, the dropout rate, and the net rate of influx.
3. We can build a control system that will automatically adjust a motorcycle’s radio volume as
the noise generated by the motorcycle changes. The noise generated by the motorcycle
increases with speed. As the noise increases, the system increases the volume of the radio.
Assume that the amount of noise can be represented by a voltage generated by the
speedometer cable, and the volume of the radio is controlled by a dc voltage. If the dc
voltage represents the desired volume disturbed by the motorcycle noise, draw the
functional block diagram of the automatic volume control system, showing the input
transducer, the volume control circuit, and the speed transducer as blocks. Also show the
following signals: the desired volume as an input, the actual volume as an output, and
voltages representing speed, desired volume, and actual volume.
4. Your bathtub at home is a control system that keeps the water level constant. A constant
flow from the tap yields a constant water level, because the flow rate through the drain
increases as the water level increases, and decreases as the water level decreases. After
equilibrium has been reached, the level can be controlled by controlling the input flow rate.
Allow input flow rate yields a lower level, while a higher input flow rate yields a higher level.
a. Sketch a control system that uses this principle to precisely control the fluid level in a
tank. Show the intake and drain valves, the tank, any sensors and transducers, and the
interconnection of all components.
b. Draw a functional block diagram of the system, identifying the input and output signals of
each block.