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1Formulas and methods
Stability: Routh–Hurwitz & root locus
Stability
all roots of the characteristic polynomial in the left half-plane
Routh array, s¹ entry of a cubic
b1 = (a2a1 − a3a0)/a2
Right half-plane roots
number of sign changes in the first column
Cubic s³ + a₂s² + a₁s + a₀
stable when all a > 0 and a₂·a₁ > a₀
K/(s(s + a)(s + b))
Kmax = ab(a + b), ω = √(ab)
Characteristic equation
1 + K·G(s) = 0
Asymptotes
σa = (Σp − Σz)/(n − m), θ = (2q + 1)·180°/(n − m)
Break-away and break-in points
dK/ds = 0
Magnitude condition
K = 1/|G(s)|
Angle of departure
θd = 180° − Σ∠(from other poles) + Σ∠(from zeros)
Method
Write the closed-loop characteristic polynomial: the denominator of 1 + K·G(s) = 0, multiplied out.
Put the coefficients alternately into the first two rows of the Routh array and build the remaining rows.
Count the sign changes in the first column: each one is a pole in the right half-plane. With K in the array, demand that every first-column entry stays positive.
For a root locus, mark the poles and zeros, the real-axis segments, the asymptotes from the centroid and the break points where dK/ds = 0. Use K = 1/|G(s)| for the gain at a point.
Steady-state error & PID control
System type
number of poles of G(s) at s = 0
Error constants
Kp = lim G(s), Kv = lim s·G(s), Ka = lim s²·G(s) (s → 0)
Step A
ess = A/(1 + Kp)
Ramp A·t
ess = A/Kv
Parabola A·t²/2
ess = A/Ka
PID controller
C(s) = Kp + Ki/s + Kd·s
Second-order target
s² + 2ζωns + ωn²
Overshoot and timing
%OS = 100·e−ζπ/√(1−ζ²), tp = π/ωd, ts ≈ 4/(ζωn)
Method
Count the poles of the open loop C(s)·G(s) at s = 0: that is the system type.
Work out the error constant that matches the input: Kp for a step, Kv for a ramp, Ka for a parabola.
Apply ess = A/(1 + Kp), A/Kv or A/Ka, or solve it for the gain you need.
For a damping or speed specification, write the closed-loop characteristic polynomial and match it with s² + 2ζω_n·s + ω_n².
2Practice problems
1.Laplace transformsMedium
F(s) = (4s + 13)/(s² + 7s + 6). Its inverse transform has the form f(t) = A·e−t + B·e−6t. Find the coefficient A by partial fractions.
F(s) = (4s + 13)/(s² + 7s + 6)
A =
2.Laplace transformsHard
A system obeys y″ + 11y′ + 30y = 30·u(t), with y(0) = 6 and y′(0) = 0. At t = 0 a step input u(t) = 5 is applied. Use the Laplace transform to find y(0.2).
A unity negative feedback loop has G(s) = 14/(s(s + 6)). The reference is a ramp r(t) = 1·t. Find the steady-state error ess.
G(s) = 14/(s(s + 6))r(t) = 1·t
ess =
4.Block diagramsHard
A proportional controller K drives the plant G(s) = 10/(s + 3) in a unity negative feedback loop. A disturbance step of size 10 enters at the plant input while R = 0. Find the smallest gain K that keeps the steady-state output at or below 3.333.
G(s) = 10/(s + 3)D = 10css ≤ 3.333
K =
5.Step responseMedium
A system has the transfer function G(s) = 38/(s² + 5s + 19) and receives a unit step input. Find the damping ratio ζ.
G(s) = 38/(s² + 5s + 19)
ζ =
6.Step responseHard
A unity negative feedback loop has G(s) = K/(s(s + 2)). Find the gain K that gives a step response with 25 % overshoot.
G(s) = K/(s(s + 2))%OS = 25 %
K =
7.Stability: Routh–Hurwitz & root locusMedium
The loop in the diagram has the open-loop transfer function L(s) = K/(s(s + 1)(s + 2)). The gain is raised until the closed loop is on the edge of stability. Find the frequency ω of the sustained oscillation.
L(s) = K/(s(s + 1)(s + 2))
ω = rad/s
8.Stability: Routh–Hurwitz & root locusHard
For the loop L(s) = K/(s(s + 6)(s + 10)), find the gain K that puts a closed-loop pole at s = −2.
L(s) = K/(s(s + 6)(s + 10))s = −2
K =
9.Steady-state error & PID controlMedium
A ramp r(t) = 1t is applied to a unity-feedback loop with G(s) = 10(s + 3)/(s(s + 4)). Find the steady-state error ess.
G(s) = 10(s + 3)/(s(s + 4))r(t) = 1t
ess =
10.Steady-state error & PID controlHard
A PD controller C(s) = 20 + Kd·s drives the plant G(s) = 1/(s(s + 4)) in a unity-feedback loop. Find the derivative gain Kd that gives the closed loop a damping ratio ζ = 0.5.
G(s) = 1/(s(s + 4))Kp = 20ζ = 0.5
Kd = s
11.Bode plots & marginsMedium
In the series RLC band-pass filter shown the output is taken across R = 5 Ω, with L = 2 mH and C = 0.47 µF. Find the −3 dB bandwidth BW in Hz.
R = 5 ΩL = 2 mHC = 0.47 µF
BW = Hz
12.Bode plots & marginsHard
A unity-feedback loop has the open-loop transfer function L(s) = K/(s(s + 4)(s + 8)). Find the gain K that gives a gain margin of 3 dB.
L(s) = K/(s(s + 4)(s + 8))GM = 3 dB
K =
3Solutions
1.Laplace transforms
Answer: A = 1.8
Laplace transform: F(s) = ∫₀∞ f(t)·e−st dt turns derivatives into multiplications by s: ℒ{f′} = sF(s) − f(0), ℒ{f″} = s²F(s) − s·f(0) − f′(0). Standard pairs: 1 ↔ 1/s, e−at ↔ 1/(s + a), t·e−at ↔ 1/(s + a)², sin ωt ↔ ω/(s² + ω²), cos ωt ↔ s/(s² + ω²), and a shift s → s + σ multiplies the time function by e−σt. To invert a rational F(s), split it into partial fractions: the residue of a simple pole p is A = [(s − p)·F(s)] at s = p. Final value theorem: f(∞) = lims→0 s·F(s), valid only when all poles of s·F(s) lie in the left half-plane. Initial value theorem: f(0⁺) = lims→∞ s·F(s).
Factor the denominator
s² + 7s + 6 = (s + 1)(s + 6)
F(s) = A/(s + 1) + B/(s + 6)
Cover-up rule
Multiply by (s + 1) and set s = −1: the B-term vanishes.
A = (4s + 13)/(s + 6) |s = −1 = 9/5 = 1.8
Answer
A = 1.8
(B = 2.2, so f(t) = 1.8·e−t + 2.2·e−6t)
2.Laplace transforms
Answer: y(0.2) = 5.701
Laplace transform: F(s) = ∫₀∞ f(t)·e−st dt turns derivatives into multiplications by s: ℒ{f′} = sF(s) − f(0), ℒ{f″} = s²F(s) − s·f(0) − f′(0). Standard pairs: 1 ↔ 1/s, e−at ↔ 1/(s + a), t·e−at ↔ 1/(s + a)², sin ωt ↔ ω/(s² + ω²), cos ωt ↔ s/(s² + ω²), and a shift s → s + σ multiplies the time function by e−σt. To invert a rational F(s), split it into partial fractions: the residue of a simple pole p is A = [(s − p)·F(s)] at s = p. Final value theorem: f(∞) = lims→0 s·F(s), valid only when all poles of s·F(s) lie in the left half-plane. Initial value theorem: f(0⁺) = lims→∞ s·F(s).
Transform the equation
(s² + 11s + 30)·Y(s) = 6s + 66 + 150/s
Y(s) = (6s² + 66s + 150)/(s(s + 5)(s + 6))
Partial fractions
A = 150/(5·6) = 5
B = −30/((−5)·1) = 6
C = −30/((−6)·(−1)) = −5
Result
y(t) = 5 + 6·e−5t − 5·e−6t
y(0.2) = 5.701
Answer
y(0.2) = 5.701
Check: y(0) = A + B + C = 6.
3.Block diagrams
Answer: ess = 0.4286
Block-diagram algebra: blocks in series multiply (G₁·G₂), blocks in parallel add (G₁ + G₂), and a loop with forward path G and feedback path H reduces to T = G/(1 + G·H) for negative feedback and G/(1 − G·H) for positive feedback. Reduce inner loops first, then work outwards. The closed-loop poles are the roots of the characteristic equation 1 + G(s)H(s) = 0. For a stable loop, a step input of size A gives the steady-state output A·T(0); with unity feedback the steady-state error to a step is A/(1 + Kp) with Kp = G(0).
Velocity error constant
Kᵥ = lims→0 s·G(s) = 14/6 = 2.333
Steady-state error
ess = A/Kᵥ = 1/2.333 = 0.4286
Answer
ess = 0.4286
4.Block diagrams
Answer: K = 2.7
Block-diagram algebra: blocks in series multiply (G₁·G₂), blocks in parallel add (G₁ + G₂), and a loop with forward path G and feedback path H reduces to T = G/(1 + G·H) for negative feedback and G/(1 − G·H) for positive feedback. Reduce inner loops first, then work outwards. The closed-loop poles are the roots of the characteristic equation 1 + G(s)H(s) = 0. For a stable loop, a step input of size A gives the steady-state output A·T(0); with unity feedback the steady-state error to a step is A/(1 + Kp) with Kp = G(0).
Disturbance response
css = D·G(0)/(1 + K·G(0)) = 10·10/(3 + 10K)
Solve for K
3 + 10K = 10·10/3.333 = 30
K = (30 − 3)/10 = 2.7
Answer
K = 2.7
5.Step response
Answer: ζ = 0.5735
Step response: a first-order system G(s) = K/(τs + 1) answers a step of size U with y(t) = K·U·(1 − e−t/τ): it reaches 63.2 % of the final value K·U after one time constant τ and 98 % after 4τ. A second-order system G(s) = K·ωₙ²/(s² + 2ζωₙs + ωₙ²) has the poles s = −ζωₙ ± jωd with ωd = ωₙ√(1 − ζ²). For 0 < ζ < 1 the step response overshoots: percent overshoot %OS = 100·e−ζπ/√(1−ζ²), peak time tp = π/ωd, and the 2 % settling time ts ≈ 4/(ζωₙ). Compare the denominator with s² + 2ζωₙs + ωₙ² to read off ωₙ and ζ. For a mass–spring–damper ωₙ = √(k/m) and ζ = c/(2√(km)); for a series RLC circuit ωₙ = 1/√(LC) and ζ = (R/2)·√(C/L).
Compare with the standard form
The denominator must match s² + 2ζωₙs + ωₙ².
ωₙ² = 19 → ωₙ = 4.359 rad/s
2ζωₙ = 5 → ζ = 5/(2·4.359) = 0.5735
Result
ζ = 0.5735
Answer
ζ = 0.5735
6.Step response
Answer: K = 6.136
Step response: a first-order system G(s) = K/(τs + 1) answers a step of size U with y(t) = K·U·(1 − e−t/τ): it reaches 63.2 % of the final value K·U after one time constant τ and 98 % after 4τ. A second-order system G(s) = K·ωₙ²/(s² + 2ζωₙs + ωₙ²) has the poles s = −ζωₙ ± jωd with ωd = ωₙ√(1 − ζ²). For 0 < ζ < 1 the step response overshoots: percent overshoot %OS = 100·e−ζπ/√(1−ζ²), peak time tp = π/ωd, and the 2 % settling time ts ≈ 4/(ζωₙ). Compare the denominator with s² + 2ζωₙs + ωₙ² to read off ωₙ and ζ. For a mass–spring–damper ωₙ = √(k/m) and ζ = c/(2√(km)); for a series RLC circuit ωₙ = 1/√(LC) and ζ = (R/2)·√(C/L).
Closed-loop transfer function
T(s) = K/(s² + 2s + K)
Damping ratio from the overshoot
ζ = −ln(0.25)/√(π² + ln²(0.25)) = 0.4037
Gain
ωₙ = 2/(2ζ) = 2.477 rad/s
K = ωₙ² = 6.136
Answer
K = 6.136
7.Stability: Routh–Hurwitz & root locus
Answer: ω = 1.414 rad/s
Routh–Hurwitz criterion: a linear system is stable when every root of its characteristic polynomial lies in the left half of the s-plane. Write the coefficients alternately into the first two rows of the Routh array. Each entry of a new row comes from the two rows above it; for a cubic a₃s³ + a₂s² + a₁s + a₀ the s¹ entry is b₁ = (a₂·a₁ − a₃·a₀)/a₂. The number of sign changes in the first column equals the number of roots in the right half-plane. With a gain K in the coefficients, every first-column entry must stay positive: the gain that makes the s¹ entry zero is the stability limit, and the s² row then gives the frequency of the sustained oscillation.
Routh array
s³ + 3s² + 2s + K = 0
s³: 1, 2
s²: 3, K
s¹: (3·2 − K)/3
s⁰: K
Critical gain
K = 3·2 = 6
Auxiliary equation
At the critical gain the s¹ row is zero; the s² row gives the poles on the imaginary axis.
3s² + 6 = 0 → s = ±j√2
ω = 1.414 rad/s
Answer
ω = 1.414 rad/s
8.Stability: Routh–Hurwitz & root locus
Answer: K = 64
Root locus: as the gain K goes from 0 to ∞, the closed-loop poles, the roots of 1 + K·G(s) = 0, move from the open-loop poles to the open-loop zeros or to infinity. A point on the real axis belongs to the locus when the number of real poles and zeros to its right is odd. The n − m branches that go to infinity follow asymptotes at the angles (2q + 1)·180°/(n − m), which start from the centroid σₐ = (Σ poles − Σ zeros)/(n − m). Branches leave or join the real axis where dK/ds = 0. The angle condition ∠G(s) = 180° fixes the shape, and the magnitude condition K = 1/|G(s)| gives the gain at any point of the locus.
Magnitude condition
K = |s|·|s + 6|·|s + 10|
Evaluate at the point
K = 2·4·8 = 64
Answer
K = 64
Check: s(s + 6)(s + 10) + K is zero at s = −2.
9.Steady-state error & PID control
Answer: ess = 0.1333
Steady-state error: in a unity-feedback loop with open-loop transfer function G(s) the error is E(s) = R(s)/(1 + G(s)), and by the final value theorem ess = lims→0 s·E(s). The system type is the number of poles of G(s) at s = 0. The error constants are Kp = lim G(s), Kv = lim s·G(s) and Ka = lim s²·G(s), all for s → 0. A step of size A gives ess = A/(1 + Kp), a ramp A·t gives A/Kv and a parabola A·t²/2 gives A/Ka. A type-0 loop follows a step with a finite error, a type-1 loop follows it exactly and a ramp with a finite error.
Velocity constant
Kv = lim s·G(s) = 7.5
Ramp error
ess = 1/7.5 = 0.1333
Answer
ess = 0.1333
10.Steady-state error & PID control
Answer: Kd = 0.4721 s
P, PI and PID control: the controller C(s) = Kp + Ki/s + Kd·s acts on the error. A proportional gain makes the loop faster and reduces the error of a type-0 plant, but never removes it. The integral term adds a pole at s = 0: the system type rises by one, and a step is followed without error. The derivative term adds damping. To choose gains, write the closed-loop characteristic polynomial and compare it with s² + 2ζωns + ωn². Then %OS = 100·e−ζπ/√(1−ζ²), tp = π/ωd with ωd = ωn√(1 − ζ²), and ts ≈ 4/(ζωn).
Characteristic polynomial
s(s + 4) + 1(20 + Kds) = s² + (4 + 1Kd)s + 20
Natural frequency
ωₙ = √20 = 4.472 rad/s
Derivative gain
4 + 1Kd = 2·0.5·4.472 = 4.472
Kd = 0.4721 s
Answer
Kd = 0.4721 s
The derivative term adds damping without changing ωₙ.
11.Bode plots & margins
Answer: BW = 397.9 Hz
Frequency response: substitute s = jω in the transfer function. The magnitude in decibels is 20·log₁₀|H(jω)| and the phase is the sum of the angles of the numerator factors minus those of the denominator factors. A first-order RC or RL filter has its corner (−3 dB) frequency at ωc = 1/(RC) or R/L, and fc = ωc/(2π); a low-pass filter gives |H| = 1/√(1 + (ω/ωc)²) and φ = −atan(ω/ωc). In the asymptotic (straight-line) Bode plot each pole bends the magnitude down by 20 dB/decade at its corner frequency, each zero bends it up by 20 dB/decade, and an integrator 1/s gives −20 dB/decade at all frequencies. Gain crossover ωc: |L(jω)| = 1 (0 dB); phase margin PM = 180° + ∠L(jωc). Phase crossover ω180: ∠L(jω) = −180°; gain margin GM = −20·log₁₀|L(jω180)| dB. The closed loop is stable when both margins are positive.
Frequency response: substitute s = jω in the transfer function. The magnitude in decibels is 20·log₁₀|H(jω)| and the phase is the sum of the angles of the numerator factors minus those of the denominator factors. A first-order RC or RL filter has its corner (−3 dB) frequency at ωc = 1/(RC) or R/L, and fc = ωc/(2π); a low-pass filter gives |H| = 1/√(1 + (ω/ωc)²) and φ = −atan(ω/ωc). In the asymptotic (straight-line) Bode plot each pole bends the magnitude down by 20 dB/decade at its corner frequency, each zero bends it up by 20 dB/decade, and an integrator 1/s gives −20 dB/decade at all frequencies. Gain crossover ωc: |L(jω)| = 1 (0 dB); phase margin PM = 180° + ∠L(jωc). Phase crossover ω180: ∠L(jω) = −180°; gain margin GM = −20·log₁₀|L(jω180)| dB. The closed loop is stable when both margins are positive.