TYPES OF FEEDBACK

Introduction
Feedback in control systems refers to the process of using
information about the current state or output of a system to
make adjustments or corrections to that system's input in order
to achieve a desired or stable outcome. It involves continuously
monitoring the system's performance and comparing it to a
reference or setpoint, then applying corrective actions to
minimize any discrepancies between the actual and desired states.
Feedback is essential for maintaining the accuracy, stability, and
reliability of various control processes and is a fundamental
concept in control theory and engineering.
Introduction
Importance of feedback in control systems

• Stability: Feedback helps maintain the stability of a system by

continuously comparing the system's output with a reference or
setpoint and making adjustments to counteract any deviations. This
prevents the system from oscillating or becoming uncontrollable.

• Accuracy: Feedback enables precise control of a system's output. By

constantly monitoring and correcting errors, it ensures that the output
closely matches the desired or target value, even in the presence of
disturbances or uncertainties.
Introduction
Importance of feedback in control systems

• Robustness: Feedback systems can adapt to changes in the environment

or system dynamics. They are capable of handling variations and
uncertainties, making them robust and reliable in real-world applications.

• Reduced Sensitivity to Parameter Variations: Feedback control systems

are often less sensitive to variations in system parameters, such as
component tolerances or environmental conditions. This tolerance to
changes makes them suitable for a wide range of applications.
Introduction
Importance of feedback in control systems

• Disturbance Rejection: Feedback systems can actively reject

external disturbances or unwanted influences on the system's output.
By detecting and counteracting these disturbances, they ensure that
the system performs as expected.

• Improved Performance: Feedback control can improve the

performance of a system by optimizing its response time, settling
time, and transient behavior. This is crucial in applications like
manufacturing, where rapid and precise control is necessary.
Introduction
Importance of feedback in control systems

• Adaptability: Feedback systems can adapt to changing requirements or

operational conditions. By adjusting the control actions based on real-time
information, they can handle dynamic systems and evolving situations effectively.
• Reduced Human Intervention: In automated systems, feedback control
minimizes the need for human intervention. It allows machines and processes to
run efficiently and consistently without constant oversight.
• Energy Efficiency: Feedback control can lead to energy savings by ensuring
that a system operates at its optimal operating point. This is vital in applications
like HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems and industrial
processes.
Introduction
Importance of feedback in control systems

• Safety: In critical systems such as aerospace, automotive, and

healthcare, feedback control plays a crucial role in ensuring safety. It
can detect and mitigate potentially hazardous situations, preventing
accidents or failures.

• Real-time Monitoring: Feedback systems provide real-time

information about a system's performance, making it possible to
detect faults or anomalies early and take corrective action promptly.
Types of Feedback

• Negative Feedback
• Positive Feedback
• Open Loop Control
Negative Feedback
• Negative feedback, also known as feedback control or feedback
regulation, is a fundamental concept in control systems and engineering.
It is a control mechanism that serves to maintain the stability and
accuracy of a system by minimizing the difference between the desired
or reference value (setpoint) and the actual output of the system.

Basic Principle:
•Negative feedback operates on the principle of error correction. It
continuously compares the actual output of a system with the desired
reference value (setpoint) and generates an error signal, which represents
the difference between the two.
Negative Feedback
Negative Feedback
• Block Diagram Representation:
• Negative feedback is often
represented using a block diagram.
The key components of this block
diagram include:

• Plant or Process, Sensor or

Detector, Controller, Actuator or
Effector, Feedback Path
Negative Feedback
Role in Error Correction

• Negative feedback strives to reduce the error signal to zero. When there is an
error (the actual output is different from the desired setpoint), the controller
generates a corrective action through the actuator.
• If the actual output is too high, the controller instructs the actuator to reduce
the input, bringing the output closer to the setpoint.
• Conversely, if the actual output is too low, the controller instructs the actuator
to increase the input to raise the output to the setpoint.
• This continuous process of error detection and correction maintains the
system's output as close as possible to the desired value.
Negative Feedback
• Stability and Damping:
• Negative feedback plays a crucial role in
maintaining system stability. It provides
damping, which means it counteracts
any deviations from the setpoint,
preventing the system from oscillating
uncontrollably.
• Damping ensures that the system settles
quickly and smoothly when
disturbances occur, reducing overshoot
and maintaining steady-state conditions.
Negative Feedback
• Applications:
Negative feedback is widely used in
various applications, including:
• Temperature control in HVAC
systems
• Speed control in motor drives
• Voltage regulation in electronic
circuits
• Blood pressure regulation in
biological systems
• Aircraft autopilots for maintaining
desired flight parameters
Negative Feedback
• Advantages:

• Provides precise control and accuracy.

• Maintains system stability.
• Reduces sensitivity to external disturbances.
• Allows for robust and reliable control.
Positive Feedback
Positive feedback is a control mechanism in which the output of a
system amplifies or reinforces the initial input, causing the system to move
further away from equilibrium or its initial state. Unlike negative feedback,
which stabilizes a system, positive feedback can lead to instability and can
result in exponential growth or runaway behavior.

Basic Principle:
•Positive feedback amplifies deviations from an equilibrium state. When
a system experiences a change or disturbance, positive feedback
reinforces that change, causing the system to move further away from its
initial condition.
Positive Feedback
Positive Feedback
• Block Diagram Representation:
• Positive feedback can be
represented using a block diagram,
similar to negative feedback.
However, in positive feedback, the
feedback loop amplifies the error
rather than reducing it.

• Plant or Process, Sensor or

Detector, Controller, Actuator or
Effector and Feedback Path
Positive Feedback
Role in Amplification:
• Positive feedback leads to the
amplification of any initial deviation
from equilibrium. For example, if the
output of a system increases slightly,
positive feedback will cause it to increase
even more, creating a self-reinforcing
loop.

• This amplification effect can be

beneficial in certain applications, such as
signal amplification in electronic circuits
and oscillation in audio equipment, but
it can also lead to instability if not
properly controlled.
Positive Feedback
Instability and Runaway Behavior:

• One of the primary characteristics of positive feedback is

that it can lead to system instability. As the system's output
gets further from equilibrium, it becomes more challenging
to control, and it may exhibit runaway behavior.
• In extreme cases, positive feedback can result in catastrophic
failure or uncontrollable system behavior.
Positive Feedback
Applications:

• Positive feedback is less common in control systems due to

its potential for instability. However, it can be intentionally
used in applications where amplification is desired, such as:

• Regenerative feedback in electronic amplifiers.

• Avalanche breakdown in semiconductor devices.
• Chain reactions in nuclear reactors.
Positive Feedback
Challenges and Control:

• Managing and controlling positive feedback is critical when it

is intentionally used. Without proper control mechanisms, it
can lead to system failure.
• Engineers often incorporate limiters, regulators, or other
safeguards to prevent positive feedback from causing
catastrophic outcomes.
Effect of Feedback on Overall Gain
• In general, 'G' and 'H' are
functions of frequency. So,
the feedback will increase
the overall gain of the
system in one frequency
range and decrease in the
other frequency range.
Effect of Feedback on Sensitivity
Effect of Feedback on Stability
Open Loop Control
Open-loop control, also known as open-loop system or feedforward
control, is a control system in which the control action is predetermined or
set based on the desired output, without actively measuring or comparing
the actual output to the desired value during operation. It is a simple form
of control that lacks feedback to correct for errors or disturbances.
Basic Principle:
•In open-loop control, the control action is determined in advance, typically
based on a mathematical model of the system and knowledge of the desired
output. The control action is not adjusted based on the system's real-time
performance or external factors.
Open Loop Control
• Block Diagram Representation:
• The block diagram representation of an open-loop control
system typically consists of the following components:

• Controller: This component determines the control

input based on a predetermined setpoint or reference
value.
• Actuator: The actuator receives the control input and
generates an output that affects the system or process
being controlled.
• Plant or Process: Represents the actual system or
process under control.
• Output: The output of the plant or process is not
actively measured or compared to the desired value in
open-loop control.
 Open Loop Control
• Lack of Feedback:
• The key characteristic of open-loop control is the absence of feedback. Unlike
negative feedback systems, where the actual output is continuously compared to the
desired value and adjustments are made accordingly, open-loop control does not
actively measure the actual output.

• Predictive Control:
• Open-loop control relies on predictive models and assumptions about the system's
behavior. The control input is determined based on these predictions.
• It assumes that the system's behavior is consistent and unaffected by disturbances or
changes in operating conditions.
Open Loop Control
• Applications:
• Open-loop control is used in situations
where the system's behavior is well-
understood, and there is little variability or
disturbance. Some common applications
include:
• Automatic washing machines with preset
washing cycles.
• Microwave ovens with fixed heating times and
power levels.
• Automated conveyor systems with predefined
motion profiles.
Open Loop Control

• Limitations:
• Open-loop control is not suitable for systems that are subject to disturbances, uncertainties, or
variations in operating conditions because it lacks the ability to correct for errors.
• It cannot adapt to changes in the system or environment, making it less robust than closed-loop
(feedback) control.

• Accuracy and Robustness:

• The accuracy of open-loop control depends on the accuracy of the predictive model and assumptions
used in determining the control input.
• Open-loop control systems are generally less robust than closed-loop systems because they cannot
actively respond to changes or disturbances.
Thank you for
listening!
Questions?