Subject: Control Systems Engineering 19AUC305A

Chapter 1: Introduction to Control Systems

Topics Covered: Concepts of Control Systems- Open and Closed Loop Control Systems
and their differences; Illustrations of Control Systems; Classifications of Control Systems

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. In open loop control system
a. Output is independent of control input
b. Output is dependent of control input
c. Only system parameters have effect on the control output
d. None of the Above
Sol: (a)

2. In open loop control system

a. The control action depends on the size of the system
b. The control action depends on system variables
c. The control action depends on the input signal
d. The control action is independent of the output
Sol: (d)

3. For Open loop control system which of the following statements is incorrect?
a. Less expensive
b. Recalibration is not required for maintaining the required quality of the output
c. Construction is simple and maintenance easy
d. Errors are caused by disturbances
Sol: (b)

4. In closed loop control system, with positive value of feedback gain the overall gain of the
system will
a. Decrease
b. Increase
c. Be unaffected
d. Any of the above
Sol: (a)

5. A closed loop system is distinguished from open loop system by which of the following?
a. Servomechanism
b. Feedback
c. Output Pattern
d. Input Pattern
 Sol: (b)

6. ………… is a closed loop system

a. Auto-pilot for an aircraft
b. Direct Current Generator
c. Car Starter
d. Electric switch
Sol: (a)

7. On which of the following factors does the sensitivity of a close loop system to gain
changes and load disturbances depend?
a. Frequency
b. Loop gain
c. Forward gain
d. All of the above
Sol: (d)

8. A control system in which the control action is somehow dependent on the output is
known as
a. Closed loop system
b. Semi closed loop system
c. Open system
d. None of the above
Sol: (a)

9. A good control system has all the following features except:

a. Good stability
b. Slow response
c. Good accuracy
d. Sufficient power handling capacity
Sol: (b)

10. A car is running at a constant speed of 50 km/h, which of the following is the feedback
element for the driver/
a. Clutch
b. Eyes
c. Needle of the speedometer
d. Steering wheel
Sol: (c)

Answer the Following Questions for 5 marks: 6 Questions * 5 marks = 30 marks

1. What is a Control System? Draw the graphical representation/form of a basic control
system?
Ans: A control system consists of subsystems and processes (or plants) assembled for the
purpose of obtaining a desired output with desired performance, given a specific input.
For example, consider an elevator. When the fourth-floor button is pressed on the first
floor, the elevator rises to the fourth floor with a speed and floor-leveling accuracy
designed for passenger comfort. The push of the fourth-floor button is an input that
represents our desired output.

Given figure shows a simplified description of a control system:

2. What are the Advantages of Control Systems? Give real world examples for the same
Ans: The primary reasons why control systems are built are, is because of Power
Amplification of system, to remotely control a system, it gives the convenience of an
input form and it compensates for any present disturbances.

With Control systems, large equipment can be moved with precision that would be
impossible manually, for example, moving/pointing huge antennas towards the farthest
reaches of the world to picking up any faint radio signals; controlling these through hand
would be impossible.

An example would be of an Elevator, where it carries us to our required floor precisely

and automatically. Powering the it all by the motor for the required load and speed, the
control system regulates the position and speed.

Control system can also be used to provide convenience by changing the form of the
input i.e., Ina temperature control system, the input is a position on the thermostat. The
output is heat; hence a convenient position input yields a desired thermal output.

3. What is an Open Loop Control System?

Ans: A Control System which doesn’t have any feedback connected to it is called as
Open Loop System. These types of systems don’t depend upon its output i.e., in open
loop systems, output is not used as a control variable for the system and it has no effect
on the input.
 Open loop systems are one way signal flow systems. As these systems doesn’t contain
any feedback i.e., the output is not fed back to the input, these are also known as Non-
Feedback Systems.

The following image shows a simple block diagram of an Open Loop System.

In an open loop system, the output can be adjusted / varied by varying the input but the
output has no effect on the input. The output of the open loop system can be determined
only by its present state input. If the output is affected due to some external noise /
disturbance, the open loop system cannot correct it.

Also, there is no chance to correct the transition errors in open loop systems so there is
more chance to occur errors.

4. Write the advantages and disadvantages of an Open Loop System?

Ans:

Advantages:

a. Open Loop Control Systems are very simple and easy to design.
b. These are considerably cheaper than other types of control systems.
c. Maintenance of an open loop control system is very simple.
d. Generally, open loop systems are stable up to some extent.
e. These types of systems are easy to construct and are convenient to use.

Disadvantages:
a. The bandwidth of open loop control system is less.
b. The non-feedback system doesn’t facilitate the process of automation.
c. Open loop systems are inaccurate in nature and also unreliable.
d. If their output is affected by some external disturbances, there is no way to correct
them automatically as these are non-feedback systems.
5. What is a closed loop system?
Ans:

A control system with feedback loop is called “closed loop control system”. In other
words, the control system which uses its feedback signal to generate output is called”
closed loop control system”. In these control systems, the input is controlled by the
feedback signal from input so that it can correct the errors occurred. Closed loop control
systems are two-way signal flow systems.

Feedback means, some part of output is taken and connected it to the input of the system
to maintain the stability of the control system. By providing a feedback loop, we can
convert any open loop control system into closed loop system. The feedback loop
provides the automatic correction of the input signal based on the output requirement.

By comparing the generated output with the actual condition, the closed loop system
maintains and achieves the desired output. If the produced output is deviated from
decided (actual) output, the closed loop control system generates an error signal and the
error signal is fed to the input of the signal.

So, by adding the error signal to the input, the generated output of the next loop will be
corrected. So, these are also called as automatic control systems. Closed loop systems are
less prone to external disturbances.

The block diagram of the closed loop system is shown below.

As these systems contain feedback loop, the closed loop control systems are also called
as “Feedback control systems”. By giving the feedback to the input signal, we can
accurately control the output of a control system. A closed loop control system can have
more than one feedback loop.

6. Write the advantages and disadvantages of a Closed loop control system?

Ans:

Advantages:
 a. As the closed loop control systems have feedback signal to control the output, these
are very accurate and less error prone.
b. They can automatically correct the errors by means of the feedback signal.
c. Closed loop systems are very accurate.
d. Band width of open loop system is very large than closed loop system.
e. They can support automation.
f. As they have very high noise margin, they are less affected by noise.

Disadvantages:
a. They are very complex and complicated to design.
b. Economically they are very costlier.
c. High maintenance is required.
d. Sometimes the feedback signal causes the system to oscillate, which will give
oscillatory response.
e. More time and efforts are needed to design a stable closed loop system.

7. Write any 5 differences between Open Loop control system and Closed Loop system?

Open Loop Control System Closed Loop System

In this system, the controlled action is free from
the output
The components of this system include a
controlled process and controller.
The accuracy of this system mainly depends on
the calibration
The optimization in this system is not possible
In this system, the output mainly depends on the
controlled act of the system.
The components of this kind of system include
an amplifier, controlled process, controller and
feedback
These are accurate due to feedback
The optimization in this system is possible

The disturbance of this system will be affected The disturbance of this system will not be
affected
The calibration of this system is difficult The calibration of this system is easy

The construction of this system is simple The construction of this system is complex

8. Define a control system and describe some applications?

Ans:
A control system consists of subsystems and processes assembled for the purpose
of obtaining a desired output with desired performance, given a specified input.
OR
A control system is a system, which provides the desired response by controlling
the output.

Applications are:

 Thermostat Heater.
 Inverter AC.
 Automatic toaster.
 Turbine Water Control System at power Station.
 Traffic lights control system is an example of control system. Here, a sequence of
input signal is applied to this control system and the output is one of the three
lights that will be on for some duration of time.

Simplified description of a control system

9. Give an overview of the two types of control systems and describe

some applications
Ans :
Open-loop Control system:
 An open-loop system is a type of control system in which the output of the system
depends on the input but the input or the controller is independent of the output of
the system. In an open-loop controller, also called a non-feedback controller.
 For example,
toasters are open-loop systems, as anyone with burnt toast can attest. The
controlled variable (output) of a toaster is the color of the toast. The device is
designed with the assumption that the toast will be darker the longer it is subjected
to heat. The toaster does not measure the color of the toast; it does not correct for
the fact that the toast is rye, white, or sourdough, nor does it correct for the fact
that toast comes in different thicknesses

Applications :
 Coffee or tea making machine.
 Servo motor 
 Washing Machine

Closed-loop control system:

The control system which uses its feedback signal to generate output is called ”
closed loop control system”. Closed loop systems can automatically correct the
errors occurred in output by using feedback loop.
For Example:
Inverter AC : The inverter air conditioner uses an inverter for controlling the
compressor speed. Sensors measure the ambient air temperature and then adjust
compressor to the required level.

Application for closed loop system :

 missile launcher,
 automatic toaster,
 water control system using a turbine.

10.Explain the steps involved in the process of controlling system.

Step 1: Transform Requirements Into a Physical System

We begin by transforming the requirements into a physical system. For example,

in the antenna azimuth position control system, the requirements would state the
desire to position the antenna from a remote location and describe such features as
weight and physical dimensions. Using the requirements, design specifications,
such as desired transient response and steady-state accuracy, are determined.
Perhaps an overall concept, would result.

Step 2: Draw a Functional Block Diagram

The designer now translates a qualitative description of the system into a functional
block diagram that describes the component parts of the system (thatis, function
and/or hardware) and shows their interconnection. is an example of a functional
block diagram for the antenna azimuth position control system. It indicates
functions such as input transducer and controller, as well as possible hardware
descriptions such as amplifiers and motors. At this point the designer may produce
a detailed layout of the system, such as that shown in Figure 1.9( b), from which
the next phase of the analysis and design sequence, developing a schematic
diagram, can be launched.

Step 3: Create a Schematic

As we have seen, position control systems consist of electrical, mechanical, and

electromechanical components. After producing the description of a physical
system, the control systems engineer transforms the physical system into a
schematic diagram. The control system designer can begin with the physical
description, as contained to derive a schematic

Step 4: Develop a Mathematical Model (Block Diagram)

Once the schematic is drawn, the designer uses physical laws, such as Kirchhoff’s
laws for electrical networks and Newton’s law for mechanical systems, along with
simplifying assumptions, to model the system mathematically. These laws are
Kirchhoff’s voltage law The sum of voltages around a closed path equals zero.
Kirchhoff’s current law The sum of electric currents flowing from a node equals
zero. Newton’s laws The sum of forces on a body equals zero;3 the sum of
moments on a body equals zero. Kirchhoff’s and Newton’s laws lead to
mathematical models that describe the relationship between the input and output of
dynamic systems. Finally, we should mention that to produce the mathematical
model for a system, we require knowledge of the parameter values, such as
equivalent resistance, inductance, mass, and damping, which is often not easy to
obtain. Analysis, measurements, or specifications from vendors are sources that the
control systems engineer may use to obtain the parameters
Step 5: Reduce the Block Diagram
Subsystem models are interconnected to form block diagrams of larger systems,
where each block has a mathematical description. Notice that many signals, such
as proportional voltages and error, are internal to the system. There are also two
signals—angular input and angular output—that are external to the system. In
order to evaluate system response in this example, we need to reduce this large
system’s block diagram to a single block with a mathematical description that
represents the system from its input to its output, Once the block diagram is
reduced, we are ready to analyze and design the system.
Step 6: Analyze and Design
The next phase of the process, following block diagram reduction, is analysis and
design. If you are interested only in the performance of an individual subsystem,
you can skip the block diagram reduction and move immediately into analysis and
design. The designer uses step inputs because both the transient response and the
steady-state response are clearly visible and can be evaluated.
11.