CONTROL
SYSTEMS
Introduction
1. What is a control system.
2. Why control systems are important.
3. What are the basic components of a control system.
4. Some examples of control-system applications.
5. Why feedback is incorporated into most control systems.
6. Types of control systems.
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What is a control system
A control system is considered to be any
system which exists for the purpose
of regulating or controlling the flow of
energy, information, money, or other
quantities in some desired fashion.
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What is a control system
A control system makes decisions
about how a discrete, continuous or
hybrid processes function, generally
ensuring processes operate within
appropriate parameters, safely, at
an appropriate rate and within
required quality. Control systems
help factories and facilities produce
quality goods safely and efficiently.
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What is a control system
• An interconnection of components forming a
system configuration that will provide a desired
system response
• The study of control provides us with a process for
analyzing and understanding the behavior of a
system given some input
• It also introduces methods for achieving the
desired system response
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Systems and Control
A System is a device or process that takes a
given input and produces some output:
A DC motor takes as input a voltage and produces
as output rotary motion
A chemical plant takes in raw
chemicals and produces a required
chemical product
Input Output
System
Why control systems are important
In recent years, control systems have assumed an
increasingly important role in the development and
advancement of modern civilization and technology.
Practically every aspect of our day-to-day activities is
affected by some type of control system.
Control systems are found in abundance in all sectors of
industry, such as quality control of manufactured products,
automatic assembly lines, machine-tool control, space
technology and weapon systems, computer control,
transportation systems, power systems, robotics, Micro-
Electro-Mechanical Systems, nanotechnology, and many
others.
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Basic Components of a Control System
1. Objectives of control.
2. Control-system components.
3. Results or outputs.
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Examples of Control-System Applications
Potential applications of control of these systems may benefit the
following areas:
•Machine tools. Improve precision and increase productivity
by controlling chatter.
• Flexible robotics. Enable faster motion with greater accuracy.
• Photolithography. Enable the manufacture of smaller
microelectronic circuits by controlling vibration in the
photolithography circuit-printing process.
• Biomechanical and biomedical. Artificial muscles, drug
delivery systems, and other assistive technologies.
•Process control. For example, on/off shape control of
solar reflectors or aerodynamic surfaces.
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Examples of Control-System Applications
Steering Control of an Automobile:
As a simple example of the control system, consider the
steering control of an automobile. The direction of the two
front wheels can be regarded as the controlled variable, or
the output, y; the direction of the steering wheel is the
actuating signal, or the input, u.
The control system, or process in this case, is composed of
the steering mechanism and the dynamics of the entire
automobile. However, if the objective is to control the
speed of the automobile, then the amount of pressure
exerted on the accelerator is the actuating signal, and the
vehicle speed is the controlled variable.
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0
Examples of Control
Applications
Aerospace Applications:
Aircraft or missile guidance and
control Space vehicles and
structures
Examples of Control-System Applications
Sun-Tracking Control of Solar Array:
To achieve the goal of developing economically
feasible non-fossil-fuel electrical power, development
of solar power conversion methods, including the
solar-cell conversion techniques
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Why feedback is incorporated into most
control systems
Control Systems can be classified as :
open loop system (Nonfeedback
System) closed loop system
(Feedback System).
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Open-Loop Control Systems
(Nonfeedback Systems)
The elements of an open-loop control system can
usually be divided into two parts: the controller and the
controlled process, as shown by the block diagram
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Open-Loop Control Systems
• In open loop system we don’t have feedback
• Control action is independent on output of plant
• Controlled signal is also referred to as
manipulated signal
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Open Loop Control Systems
A system in which the output has no effect on
the control action is known as an open
loop control system.
For a given input the system produces a
certain output. If there are any
disturbances, the output changes and there is
no adjustment of the input to bring back the
output to the original value.
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Open-Loop Control Systems Applications
• Volume of Audio System
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Open-Loop Control Systems Applications
• Hair Dryer
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Open Loop Control Systems
Advantages:
1. Simplicity - They are simple in terms of layout and
straightforward in operation.
2. Low cost - Due to a simple structure and absence of
sensors or feedback devices.
3. Quick Response – systems can act quickly without
delays.
4. No need for calibration
5. Easy to maintain
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Open Loop Control Systems
Disadvantages:
1. Lack of Accuracy - without feedback, open-loop
systems cannot self-correct or adapt to changes in
external conditions, leading to less accurate outputs.
2. Fixed Operation - The system operates strictly
based on pre-set conditions and won’t adjust to
unexpected scenarios, which limits flexibility.
3. Changes in the output due to disturbances are
not corrected automatically.
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Closed-Loop Control Systems
(Feedback Control Systems)
What is missing in the open-loop control system for more
accurate and more adaptive control is a link or feedback
from the output to the input of the system.
To obtain more accurate control, the controlled signal y
should be fed back and compared with the reference
input.
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Closed-Loop Control Systems
(Feedback Control Systems)
• In closed loop system, output is used by
controller via feedback.
• The presence of feedback compensates for the
disturbance and improve the accuracy of the
system
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Open vs Closed Loop
Control
Open-loop
output
control is ‘blind’ to actual
Closed-loop control takes account of
actual
Desired output and compares this to
desired
Output
output
Input
Controller/ Process
Output
+ Amplifier Dynamics
-
Measurement
Closed-Loop Control Systems
Application
• Air Conditioner
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Closed Loop Control Systems
Advantages:
1. Improved Accuracy – having feedback, it ensures the
output closely matches the desired se point, even if the
external conditions change.
2. Stability – handles disturbances or changes in the
environment which ensures the operation go as
intended.
3. Automation - Closed-loop systems require less human
intervention, as they self-correct and adjust based on
feedback, making them ideal for automated processes.
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Closed Loop Control Systems
Disadvantages
1. Complexity - The addition of feedback mechanisms,
sensors, and controllers increases the system’s
complexity, requiring more sophisticated design and
implementation.
2. Higher Cost
3. Risk of Instability – if the feedback loop and system
is not designed properly.
4. Maintenance and Calibration
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TYPES OF FEEDBACK CONTROL SYSTEMS
Feedback control systems may be classified in a number
of ways, depending upon the purpose of the
classification. For instance, according to the method of
analysis and design, control systems are classified as:
Linear or Nonlinear
Time-varying or Time-invariant
Continuous-data or Discrete-data
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Actuatio
n for acting on the
A device
environment
Sensin
Ag device formeasuring some aspect
of the environment
Examples : Washing
Machine System Requirements
Understanding of load
sizes
Receptacle to hold
clothes
‘Plumbing’
Ease of use, Reliability
Low Cost
Actuators
AC or DC Motors
Water inlet/drain
Sensors
Water level
Load speed/balance
Control
Choice depends on
design
Examples : The
CD
Playe
r A CD player is an
example
of control system
Requires
Accurate positioning of
the
laser read head
Precise control of
media speed
Conversion of digital
data to
analogue signal
Examples : Hard Drive
A computer disk
drive is another
example of a rotary
control system
Requires
magnetic read
Accurate positioning
headof the medi
Precise control a
of speed of digital
Extraction
data
from magnetic media
Examples : Modern
Modern Automobiles
Automobiles are controlled by a
number of computer
components
Requires
Control of automobile sub
systems
Brakes and acceleration
Cruise control
ABS
Climate control
GPS
Reliability
Low cost
Ease of use
