ECE131L Experiment 2: System Generation,

Retrieval, and Interconnection

Catherine Joy R. Mendoza
School of Electrical, Electronics, and
Computer Engineering
Mapua University
Manila City, Philippines
catherinejoymendoza@yahoo.com

Abstract— This experiment is focused on System Generation,

Retrieval, and Interconnection. Through this, systems are
generated given the transfer function, gain-poles-zeroes,
matrices, and system responses. Also, given a block diagram of
systems, the overall transfer function was obtained. Lastly, give
an RLC circuit, a function must be created in MATLAB.

Keywords— transfer function, block diagram, RLC circuit

I. INTRODUCTION
Matrix laboratory or commonly known as MATLAB, is a
multi-paradigm numerical computing environment and
proprietary programming language developed by
MathWorks. It allows matrix manipulations, plotting of
functions and data, implementation of algorithms, creation of
user interfaces, and interfacing with programs written in
other languages, including C, C++, C#, Java, Fortran, and
Python. This experiment was complete through the use of
this computing environment.
A Transfer function represents the relationship between
the output signal of a control system and the input signal, for
all possible input values. The transfer function has many
useful physical interpretations and features of a transfer
function are often associated with important system
properties.
II. BLOCK DIAGRAM
A block diagram is a visualization of the control system
which uses blocks to represent the transfer function, and
arrows which represent the various input and output signals.
The combinations of block diagrams and transfer functions is
a powerful way to represent control systems. Transfer
functions relating different signals in the system can be
derived by purely algebraic manipulations of the transfer
functions of the blocks using block diagram algebra. Any
system can be described by a set of differential equations, or
it can be represented by the schematic diagram that contains
all the components and their connections. However, these
methods do not work for complicated systems.
The transfer function of a component is represented by a
block. A block has single input and single output. Output of
the block is obtained by multiplying transfer function of the
block with input. The summing point is represented by a
circle having a cross inside it. It has two or more inputs but
with single output. It produces the algebraic sum of the
inputs. The take-off point is a point from which the same
input signal can be passed through more than one branch.
Figure 1. Block Diagram Representation
By using MATLAB, in solving block diagrams, the tf
command was used to create the transfer function. Then, the
simplification or the combination must take place
accordingly whether it is series or parallel with the uses of
series and parallel commands. Once combined, the feedback
command is used which returns the model object for the
feedback of model objects. With this, the overall transfer
function can be obtained.
For instances that the blocks are given in matrix
parameters, the matrix shall be defined first. Then, the ss
command will be used to convert the state-space model.
After this, it shall proceed as the previous way of solving
block diagrams but when using tf command, the property
inside it shall use the zpk command.
III. ELECTICAL CONTROL SYSTEM
An electrical control system is a physical interconnection
of devices that influences the behavior of other devices or
systems. RLC circuit consists of resistors, inductors, and
capacitors connected in either series or parallel. An RLC
circuit can be used as a band-pass filter, band-stop filter, low-
pass filter or high-pass filter.
An open loop control system is one which the output does
not feedback to the input to correct variations. Instead, the
output is varied by varying the input. A closed loop control
system is one in which the output has an effect upon the
input to maintain a desired output value. It achieves this by
providing a feedback loop/
In this experiment, given an RLC circuit, the students
were tasked to create a function through a Matlab M-File.
Inside the M-file are the assigning of value of the circuit and
its logic in solving it. Commands such as tf, tfdata, zpkdata,
ssdata, ss, and zpk were used to complete this. After creating
the m-file, it can now be used as a function for RLC circuits
of the same kind even with different values.

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 IV. CONCULUSION MATLAB. Circuits can be calculated as well whether it is an
After conducting the experiment, the students are now open loop system or an electrical system. For open loop
able to characterize systems using different forms of systems systems, the transfer function equation can be solved by
representation, system transformation, systems using combination. With this, the circuit can be simplified.
interconnection. Transfer function can be made from For electrical systems, the gain, poles, and zeroes can be
different sources or input and is converted to a system of determined by MATLAB as well.
equations. It can also be created from a set of coefficients REFERENCES
from numerators and denominators. The transfer function can
be determined by a given gain, zeroes, and poles through
[1] Astrom, K. J., & Murray, R. M. (2009). Feedback Systems. Princeton University Press.
[3] Omijeh, B., & s.K.Ogboukebe. (2015). Modeling of Transfer Function
Characteristic of RLC-Circuit. IOS Journal of Computer Engineering.
[2] Retrieved from Electrical4U: https://www.electrical4u.com/transfer-
function/