ME 402 INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROL

UNIT 5:
Control systems, open loop and close loop control, mathematical modeling of dynamic systems –
mechanical systems, electrical systems, fluid systems, thermal systems, transfer function, impulse
response function, block diagrams of close loop systems, system modeling using software.

Control systems:

A control system is a device or a group of devices that manages, directs, or regulates other
devices or systems to achieve a desired result. These systems can be open-loop or closed-
loop, and they are used in various applications like industrial processes, transportation, and
even organizational settings.

Types of Control Systems:

Open-loop control systems:
These systems operate without feedback, meaning the output is not monitored or adjusted
based on its actual value. An example is a simple irrigation system where a timer turns the
water on and off regardless of the soil's moisture level.

Closed-loop control systems:

These systems use feedback, where a sensor monitors the output and sends this information
back to the controller to adjust the input and maintain the desired output. An example is
cruise control in a car, where the system adjusts the engine speed based on the car's actual
speed compared to the set speed.

Components of a Control System:

 Fig. block diagrams of close loop systems

Input: The desired command or target value.

Controller: The device that processes the input and adjusts the output.

Process: The system being controlled.

Output: The result of the controlled process.

Feedback mechanism: A sensor that monitors the output and provides information to the
controller (in closed-loop systems).

Applications of Control Systems:

Industrial processes:

Control systems are used in various industries to automate and regulate processes like
temperature control, pressure regulation, and material flow.
Transportation:

Systems like cruise control, automated braking, and autopilot are examples of control systems
used in vehicles.

Organizational control:

Executives use control systems to track performance, identify issues, and implement
corrective actions.

Other applications:
Control systems are also found in medical devices, robotics, and many other areas.

mathematical modeling of dynamic systems

Mathematical modeling of dynamic systems involves using mathematical equations, often
differential or difference equations, to represent the behavior of a system that changes over time.
These models can help analyze system behavior, predict future states, and understand how systems
respond to changes or inputs

Key aspects of mathematical modeling of dynamic systems:

Representation:

Dynamic systems are typically represented by equations that describe how the system's state
evolves over time. This can involve differential equations for continuous-time systems or difference
equations for discrete-time systems.

Modeling Techniques:

Mathematical models can be developed using two primary approaches:

Mechanistic Models: These are derived from first principles, using the laws of physics and other
relevant principles to formulate equations that describe the system.

Empirical Models: These are developed using data from experiments or observations to identify
relationships between inputs, outputs, and system states.

Applications:

Dynamic system modeling has applications in various fields, including:

Control systems: Designing controllers to stabilize or optimize the behavior of dynamic systems.

Simulation: Creating computer simulations to study system behavior under different conditions.

Analysis: Understanding how different factors influence system dynamics.

Model Complexity:

The complexity of a mathematical model needs to be balanced with the accuracy required for a
specific application. More detailed models can be more accurate but also more complex to analyze.
IMPULSE RESPONSE FUNCTION

The impulse response function, often denoted as h(t), is the output of a system
when the input is a unit impulse function (δ(t)). The transfer function, H(s), is the
Laplace transform of the impulse response function. Therefore, h(t) is the inverse
Laplace transform of H(s).
Formula:

Transfer Function (H(s)): H(s) = Y(s) / X(s), where Y(s) is the Laplace transform of the output, and X(s)
is the Laplace transform of the input.

Impulse Response (h(t)): h(t) = L⁻¹[H(s)], where L⁻¹ denotes the inverse Laplace transform.

The Effect of Impulse Signal

The unit impulse signal is defined as

Laplace transform of unit impulse function is 1.

Now if input signal is unit impulse signal then,

The output function is same as its transfer function.

TRANSFER FUNCTION
A transfer function represents the relationship between the output signal of a control
system and the input signal, for all possible input values. 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.
Every control system has a reference input, often called excitation or cause, that works
through a transfer function to create a controlled output or response.

Thus the cause and effect relationship between the output and input is related to each
other through a transfer function.

In a Laplace Transform, if the input is represented by R(s) and the output is

represented by C(s), then the transfer function will be:

That is, the transfer function of the system multiplied by the input function gives
the output function of the system.

What is a Transfer Function?

Transfer Function Explained: It is defined as the ratio of the Laplace transform of the output
to the Laplace transform of the input, assuming zero initial conditions.

The Procedure for determining the transfer function of a control system are as follows:

1. We form the equations for the system.

2. Now we take Laplace transform of the system equations, assuming initial conditions
as zero.
3. Specify system output and input.
4. Lastly we take the ratio of the Laplace transform of the output and the Laplace
transform of the input which is the required transfer function.
Inputs and outputs in a control system may differ. For instance, electric motors take
electrical signals as inputs and produce mechanical outputs to rotate, while generators take
mechanical inputs to generate electrical outputs.
But for mathematical analysis, of a system all kinds of signals should be represented in a
similar form. This is done by transforming all kinds of signal to their Laplace form. Also the
transfer function of a system is represented by Laplace form by dividing output Laplace
transfer function to input Laplace transfer function. Hence a basic block diagram of a control
system can be represented as

Where r(t) and c(t) are time domain function of input and output signal respectively.

SYSTEM MODELING USING SOFTWARE:

System modeling, a key aspect of software engineering, involves creating simplified

representations of complex systems to understand, analyze, and communicate their
structure, behavior, and interactions. This process utilizes software tools and graphical
notations, like the Unified Modeling Language (UML), to create models that help analysts
and stakeholders understand system functionality, requirements, and potential issues early
in the development cycle.
Purpose and Benefits:

1. Understanding and Communication:

System models provide a shared understanding of the system, facilitating
communication among developers, analysts, and clients.
2. Requirements Clarification:
Models help define and clarify system requirements, ensuring that the final product
meets the needs of stakeholders.
3. Early Issue Detection:
 By visualizing the system's structure and behavior, potential design flaws and issues
can be identified and addressed before the implementation stage.
4. Improved Design and Maintainability:
Well-defined models contribute to a more structured and maintainable system design.
5. Facilitates Development:
Models can guide the development process, ensuring that the final product aligns with
the intended functionality and design.
6. Model-Based Development:
In Model-Based Development, software is created in a simulated environment,
allowing developers to test and refine the design before coding.

Types of System Models:

1. Context Models:
These models show how a system fits within its environment, including external interfaces
and boundaries.
2. Functional Models:
These models focus on the system's functionality and the flow of data and control, often
using diagrams like IDEF0.
3. Structural Models:
These models represent the system's components and their relationships, such as class
diagrams in UML.
4. Behavioral Models:
These models describe the system's dynamic behavior, including sequence diagrams, state
diagrams, and activity diagrams in UML.
Software Tools for System Modeling:

5. UML Tools:
Tools like Enterprise Architect and Lucidchart, which support various UML diagrams, are
commonly used for system modeling.
6. Model-Based Development Tools:
Platforms like Modelio and System Composer facilitate model -based development,
enabling developers to create and simulate system models.
7. 3D Modeling Software:
Software like Siemens Digital Industries Software is used to create visual representations
of systems, particularly in domains like product design and architecture.
Example:
Consider a simple online shopping system. A context model might show the system
interacting with users, a payment gateway, and a database. A functional model could
illustrate the different use cases, such as adding items to the cart, browsing products, or
making a purchase. A structural model might represent the system's components, such as
the product catalog, the cart, and the user account, while a behavioral model could show
the interaction between these components.