Feedback and Control System

Introduction to Control System

UNIT 1

INTRODUCTION TO CONTROL SYSTEM

LESSONS COVERED

1.1 Control systems: what they are

1.2 Examples of control systems
1.3 Open-loop and closed-loop control system and feedback
1.4 Characteristics of feedback and control.

DURATION: 6 Hours

INTRODUCTION

In recent times, the control system has played an essential part in the
field of engineering. Every aspect of our daily routine activities is affected by
the control system. This module will discuss what a control system is, why we
need to use it, what are the examples of control systems from simple to more
advanced ones. We will also use everyday examples to understand what
open loops and closed loops systems are and how they work.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

 Define control system
 Recognize and appreciate the examples of a control system that can
be found in our environment
 Explore real-life example of an open-loop and closed-loop system and
to understand how they work

PRE-TEST
For us to understand what a control system is, let us first define two
terms: control and system. According to Merriam-Webster, a system is a
group of devices or objects forming a network that serves a common purpose.
While control is to regulate, manage, direct, or conduct. Therefore, a control
system can be defined as an order of devices or objects that are properly
connected in such a way to conduct a desired output.

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This section is designed to check your entry knowledge about the

lesson. Before we go deep on control systems, let’s first check how you know
about the control system. Look around your house and identify all the devices
which you think are examples of control system based on our definition
above. List them one by one and write down their function.

DEVICES FUNCTION
1. Cellphone A mobile electronic gadget that can
make phone calls, text messages, video
calls, and connect to the internet.
2.Microwave A device for swiftly heating and cooking
food using electromagnetic radiation.
3.Electric fan An apparatus used to move air around a
room or other enclosed place.
4. Speaker A device that transforms electrical
impulses into sound waves.
5.Flat iron A device used to straighten and style
hair.

LESSON PROPER/COURSE METHODOLOGY

1.1. Control Systems: What are they?
Short history

The history of feedback and control systems can be traced back to ancient
times when humans first began to develop tools and technologies that allowed
them to control and manipulate their environment. For example, early
irrigation systems used feedback control to regulate water flow and ensure
crops received the right amount of moisture.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, engineers and scientists began to develop
mathematical models of physical systems and use them to design control
systems for machines and processes. The development of the steam engine
and other industrial technologies spurred the growth of feedback and control
theory, as engineers sought ways to improve the efficiency and reliability of
these machines.

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In the early 20th century, engineers such as Frederick Winslow Taylor and
Frank Gilbreth applied feedback and control principles to the field of
management, developing techniques for optimizing productivity and efficiency
in factories and other organizations.

Frederick Winslow Taylor Frank Gilbreth

During World War II, feedback and control systems played a crucial role in the
development of weapons systems and other military technologies. After the
war, these technologies were adapted for civilian use, leading to the
development of modern control theory and the widespread adoption of
feedback control systems in a variety of industries, including aerospace,
automotive, and process control.

Today, feedback and control systems continue to be an important area of

research and development, with applications ranging from robotics and
automation to environmental monitoring and renewable energy. The
development of new technologies, such as machine learning and artificial
intelligence, is also opening up new possibilities for feedback and control
systems in a variety of fields.

A control system typically consists of four basic components: a measurement

system, a control algorithm, a feedback loop, and an actuator or control
element. The measurement system senses the current state or output of the
system being controlled, while the control algorithm calculates the desired
response based on this measurement. The feedback loop compares the
desired response to the actual response and makes any necessary

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adjustments to maintain the desired state or performance level. Finally, the

actuator or control element acts on the system being controlled to produce the
desired response.

There are two main types of control systems: open-loop and closed-loop.
Open-loop systems operate without feedback, meaning that the control
algorithm is not adjusted based on the system's output. Closed-loop systems,
on the other hand, use feedback to adjust the control algorithm based on the
system's output.

Control system is plenteous in our surroundings. Before illustrating this, let us

define two terms: input and output, which are the basic components of a
control system. These two components will help us in defining the control
system more deeply.

Technically, input is the stimulus, excitation, or command applied to a

control system. Typically, from an external energy source, physical variable,
or more abstract quantities, usually to produce a specified response from the
control system. The output is the actual response obtained from a control
system or simply the result or outcome. It may or may not be equal to the
specified response implied by the input.

According to Control System and

Feedback (Steffano), A control system
manages, commands, directs, or regulates
the behavior of other devices or systems
using control loops. It can range from a
single home heating controller using a
thermostat controlling a domestic boiler to
large Industrial control systems which are
used for controlling processes or machines.

For continuously modulated control,

The centrifugal governor is an early
a feedback controller is used to
proportional control mechanism.
automatically control a process or
operation. The control system compares the value or status of the process
variable (PV) being controlled with the desired value or setpoint (SP) and

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applies the difference as a control signal to bring the process variable output
of the plant to the same value as the setpoint.

For sequential and combinational logic, software logic, such as in a

programmable logic controller, is used.

1.2. Examples of Control Systems

Activity 1.2.1

Let’s begin the lesson by performing the activity below for you to fully
understand the lesson. This section will introduce you to the lesson properly.
Complete the table by identifying and listing down the corresponding input
and output of the following control system. The first item is done for you.

System Input Output

1. An electric switch The state of the switch, The flow or nonflow of
either on or off. the electricity.

2. A thermostat The temperature of the Analog or digital number

surroundings that a of the temperature.
temperature sensor can
detect.
3. A perspiration
system

4. A bread toaster Turning on or off using a Converting electrical

lever or buttons. energy into thermal
energy.

5. A person driving an The steering wheel, The speed, direction, and

automobile accelerator, brake pedal,
and gear shift.
6. A washing machine The buttons or switch
that control the power
and time of the machine.
acceleration of the
vehicle.
The time, power, and
speed of the machine.

Analysis
Congratulations on performing the first task. For you to move forward
you must understand and reflect first on your previous activity. Complete each
statement based on your experience.

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The activity above made me notice and recognize

Every application or device has a unique function as well as different input
and output.

It made me aware of
The control system is a huge benefit to us, especially in our daily lives.

Now, I want to learn more on

About the control system and how to enhance existing devices or systems to
help us live better lives.

Abstraction
Now that you have understood the basic components of the control
system, we can now move forward to the classification or types of control
systems. There are two types of control systems: the open-loop system and
the closed-loop system, which both can be represented by a block diagram.
When we say block diagram, it uses blocks to show processes, and arrows to
connect input, processes, and output parts. We need also to define first a
control action. Control action is the quantity responsible for activating the
system to produce an output.

1.3 Open Loop and Closed Loop Control Systems

Open Loop Control System

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Fig.1 Block diagram of an open-loop control system

Figure 1 shows a simple block diagram of the open-loop control

system. Its operation is very basic, that is why it is used in simple processes
because of its simplicity and low cost. An input signal directs the control
element to respond to produce an output. In an open-loop system, control
action is independent of the desired output. Some practical examples of an
open-loop control system are:

 Washing Machine

Fig. 2 Block Diagram of a Washing Machine

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a washing machine. The

operation of this machine runs according to the present time and
does not depend on the cleanness of the clothes or irrespective
of washing is completed or not.

 Electric Hand Dryer

The output of this machine which is the hot air comes
out as long as you keep your hand under the
machine, irrespective of how much your hand is
dried.

 Bread Toaster
This machine operates as per adjusted time
regardless of toasting is completed or not.

 Timer Based Clothes Dryer

This machine dries wet clothes for pre-adjusted
time, regardless of how much the clothes are dried.

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 Light Switch
Lamps glow whenever the switch is on, no matter
what the light is required or not.

Closed-Loop Control System

Fig. 3 Block Diagram of a Closed Loop Control System

Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the closed-loop control system. In a

closed-loop system, the output of the control system is adjusted automatically
until it gets the desired output. This process is called feedback, which is a
special feature of a closed-loop system. We will tackle this topic in more detail
in the next lesson. So, we can say that in a closed-loop system, control action
is somehow dependent on the output. Some practical examples of closed-
loop control system are:

 Thermostat Heater
This machine senses the temperature of the system
and it maintains the temperature.
 Missile Launcher
This device detects the position of the plane
using a radar tracking unit. The input is the
position of the plane, the plant is the launcher,
the controller is the computer system and the
output is the target.
 Inverter AC

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This machine uses an inverter for controlling the compressor

speed. It has a sensor for measuring the ambient air
temperature, so adjust the compressor to the required level.
 Automatic Clothes Iron
This device adjusts the required temperature for
proper pressing.

The closed-loop system is more accurate and reliable compared to the

open-loop system. It is also costly because it is complicated to design and
more maintenance needed. The major difference in these two systems is, the
feedback element is always present in the closed-loop system.

1.4. Characteristics of Feedback and Control

Feedback Systems are systems that decide the change of the input to
get the desired output. The processing part of a feedback system may be
electrical, electronic, or mechanical, ranging from a very simple to highly
complex circuits.

Simple analog feedback control circuits can be constructed using

individual components: such as transistors, resistors, and capacitors, etc, or
by using microprocessor-based and integrated circuits (IC’s) to form more
complex digital feedback systems.

As we have seen, open-loop systems are just that, open-ended, and no

attempt is made to compensate for changes in circuit conditions or changes in
load conditions due to variations in circuit parameters, such as gain and
stability, temperature, supply voltage variations, and/or external disturbances.
But the effects of these “open-loop” variations can be eliminated or at least
considerably reduced by the introduction of Feedback.

A feedback system is one in which the output signal is sampled and

then fed back to the input to form an error signal that drives the system. In the
previous tutorial about Closed-loop Systems, we saw that in general,
feedback is comprised of a sub-circuit that allows a fraction of the output
signal from a system to modify the effective input signal in such a way as to

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produce a response that can differ substantially from the response produced
in the absence of such feedback.

Feedback Systems are very useful and widely used in amplifier

circuits, oscillators, process control systems as well as other types of
electronic systems. But for feedback to be an effective tool, it must be
controlled as an uncontrolled system will either oscillate or fail to function. The
basic model of a feedback system is given as:

Feedback System Block Diagram Model

This basic feedback loop of sensing, controlling, and actuation is the main
concept behind a feedback control system and there are several good
reasons why feedback is applied and used in electronic circuits:

 Circuit characteristics such as the gain and response of the system can
be precisely controlled.
 Circuit characteristics can be made independent of operating
conditions such as supply voltages or temperature variations.
 Signal distortion due to the non-linear nature of the components used
can be greatly reduced.
 The Frequency Response, Gain, and Bandwidth of a circuit or system
can be easily controlled within tight limits.

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Whilst there are many different types of control systems, there are just two
main types of feedback control namely: Negative Feedback and Positive
Feedback.

Positive Feedback Systems

In a “positive feedback control system”, the setpoint and output values

are added together by the controller as the feedback is “in-phase” with the
input. The effect of positive (or regenerative) feedback is to “increase” the
gain of the system, i.e, the overall gain with positive feedback applied will be
greater than the gain without feedback. For example, if someone praises you
or gives you positive feedback about something, you feel happy about
yourself and are full of energy, you feel more positive.

However, in electronic and control systems to much praise and positive

feedback can increase the systems gain far too much which would give rise to
oscillatory circuit responses as it increases the magnitude of the effective
input signal.

An example of a positive feedback system could be an electronic

amplifier based on an operational amplifier, or op-amp as shown.

Application
This section will practice your understanding of the lesson.

 Give at least three open-loop systems that can be converted into

a closed-loop system.
1. Water level control system
2. Temperature control system
3. Speed control system
 Give some comparison of the open-loop system and closed-loop
system you have acquired from the discussion.

OPEN LOOP CONTROL SYSTEM CLOSED-LOOP CONTROL

SYSTEM

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Predictability Stability

Accuracy

Complexity

REFLECTION/LEARNING INSIGHTS
1. After learning what a control system is, what do you think are the
advantages and disadvantages of the control system?

Control systems include advantages such as greater accuracy,

precision, efficiency, safety, and dependability, while disadvantages
include complexity, expense, failure possibility, and reliance on
technology.

2. How can control systems affect our everyday life?

In our daily lives, control systems are used in many different

contexts, including communications, transportation, medical
equipment, industrial operations, and home automation. They raise
efficiency, save expenses, and promote our comfort, safety, and
productivity.

3. Why do you think we need to study and learn control systems

especially in the field of engineering?

Engineers benefit from studying control systems because it allows

them to build and optimize systems, diagnose and maintain them,
develop and improve them, investigate cross-disciplinary
applications, and advance their careers.

4. With additional learnings you have acquired, can you give more

control system example that you can find within your community.

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Control systems can be found in various aspects of a community, such as

traffic control systems, building automation systems, water and wastewater
treatment plants, power distribution systems, agricultural systems, home
appliances, and renewable energy systems. Control systems are used to
improve efficiency, safety, and quality of life in the community.

POST-TEST

Congratulations! You have completed this chapter. Before you go to

the next chapter, you had to answer the following post-test questions.

Control Systems: What They Are and Examples

Go back to our pre-test. List down all your answers on our first activity, identify
and classify them as open-loop systems, or closed-loop systems.

DEVICES FUNCTION CLASSIFICATION (open

loop or closed loop)
Cellphone A mobile electronic gadget Closed loop

that can make phone calls,

text messages, video calls,

and connect to the internet.

Electric fan An apparatus used to move Open loop

air around a room or other

enclosed place.

Microwave A device for swiftly Closed loop

heating and cooking food

using electromagnetic

radiation

Flat iron A device used to straighten Closed loop

and style hair.

Speaker A device that transforms Open loop

electrical impulses into

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sound waves.

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