2 System models

2.1 Introduction Suppose we have a control system for the temperature in a room. How
will the temperature react when the thermostat has its set value increased
from, say, 20~ to 22~ In order to determine how the output of a
control system will react to different inputs, we need a mathematical
Output model of the system so that we have an equation describing how the
Input J
"l Gain = 10
output of the system is related to its input.
Thus, in the case of an amplifier system (Figure 2.1) we might be able
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Figure 2.1 Amplifier system to use the simple relationship that the output is always 10 times the
with the output ten times the input. If we have an input of a 1 V signal we can calculate that the
input output will be 10 V. This is a simple model of a system where the input
is just multiplied by a gain of 10 in order to give the output. This chapter
starts off with a discussion of this simple model of a system.
However, if we consider a system representing a spring balance with
an input of a load signal and an output of a deflection (Figure 2.2) then,
when we have an input to the system and put a fixed load on the balance
Spring system (this type of input is known as a step input because the input variation
with time looks like a step), it is likely that it will not instantaneously
give the weight but the pointer on the spring balance will oscillate for a
Load applied little time before settling down to the weight value. Thus we cannot just
state, for an input of some constant load, that the output is just the input
multiplied by some constant number but need some way of describing an
I !
(a) output which varies with time. With an electrical system of a circuit with
capacitance and resistance, when the voltage to such a circuit is switched
Input on, i.e. there is a constant voltage input to the system, then the current
changes with time before eventually settling down to a steady value.
0 With a temperature control system, such as that used for the central
(b) Time
heating system for a house, when the thermostat is changed from 20~ to
22~ the output does not immediately become 22~ but there is a change
Output with time and eventually it may become 22~ In general, the
mathematical model describing the relationship between input and
output for a system is likely to involve terms which give values which
0 Time change with time and are described by a differential equation (see
(c)
Appendix A). In this chapter we look at how such differential equation
Figure 2.2 (a) The spring relationships arise.
system with a constant load In order to make life simple, what we need is a simple relationship
applied at some instant of time, between input and output for a system, even when the output varies with
(b) the step showing how the time. It is nice and simple to say that the output is just ten times the
input varies with time, (c) the input and so describe the system by gain = 10. There is a way we can
output showing how it varies have such a simple form of relationship where the relationslfip involves
with time for the step input time but it involves writing inputs and outputs in a different form. It is
Copyright 2002. Newnes.

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