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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
Find f(t) for F(s) = (s + 31)/(s² + 6s + 9) and evaluate f(0.5).
F(s) = (s + 31)/(s² + 6s + 9)t = 0.5 s
f(0.5) =
2.Laplace transformsHard
Solve y″ + 7y′ + 12y = 0 with y(0) = 10 and y′(0) = −9 using the Laplace transform, and find y(0.3).
y″ + 7y′ + 12y = 0y(0) = 10y′(0) = −9t = 0.3 s
y(0.3) =
3.Block diagramsMedium
A plant G(s) = 40/(s + 6) is controlled in a negative feedback loop whose sensor has the gain H = 0.1. Find the time constant τ of the closed loop.
G(s) = 40/(s + 6)H = 0.1
τ = s
4.Block diagramsHard
A proportional controller K drives the plant G(s) = 1/(s + 5) in a unity negative feedback loop. A disturbance step of size 5 enters at the plant input while R = 0. Find the smallest gain K that keeps the steady-state output at or below 0.01.
G(s) = 1/(s + 5)D = 5css ≤ 0.01
K =
5.Step responseMedium
A system has the transfer function G(s) = 75/(s² + 13s + 75) and receives a unit step input. Find the 2 % settling time ts of the step response, using ts ≈ 4/(ζωₙ).
G(s) = 75/(s² + 13s + 75)
ts = s
6.Step responseHard
A series RLC circuit with R = 38 Ω, L = 200 mH and C = 22 µF is connected to a 12 V step at t = 0. The capacitor is uncharged and no current flows before the step. Find the time tp of the first voltage peak, in ms.
R = 38 ΩL = 200 mHC = 22 µFV = 12 V
tp = ms
7.Stability: Routh–Hurwitz & root locusMedium
A unity-feedback loop has L(s) = K/((s + 1)(s + 2)(s + 3)), with K > 0. Find the largest gain Kmax for which the closed loop is stable.
L(s) = K/((s + 1)(s + 2)(s + 3))
Kmax =
8.Stability: Routh–Hurwitz & root locusHard
For L(s) = K/((s + 2)(s² + 8s + 17)), find the angle of departure θd of the root locus from the complex pole in the upper half-plane, measured from the positive real axis.
L(s) = K/((s + 2)(s² + 8s + 17))
θd = °
9.Steady-state error & PID controlMedium
A unity-feedback loop has G(s) = K/((s + 1)(s + 10)). Find the gain K that gives a steady-state error of 20 % for a step input.
G(s) = K/((s + 1)(s + 10))ess = 20 %
K =
10.Steady-state error & PID controlHard
A proportional controller K drives the plant G(s) = 2/(s(s + 8)) in a unity-feedback loop. Find the gain K that gives the closed loop a damping ratio ζ = 0.6.
G(s) = 2/(s(s + 8))ζ = 0.6
K =
11.Bode plots & marginsMedium
Find the exact magnitude |G(jω)| of G(s) = 1352/((s + 8)(s + 13)) at ω = 8 rad/s, in dB.
G(s) = 1352/((s + 8)(s + 13))ω = 8 rad/s
|G(jω)| = dB
12.Bode plots & marginsHard
A unity-feedback loop has the open-loop transfer function L(s) = 13.6/(s(s + 8)). Find the gain crossover frequency ωc, where |L(jω)| = 1.
L(s) = 13.6/(s(s + 8))
ωc = rad/s
3Solutions
1.Laplace transforms
Answer: f(0.5) = 3.347
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 + 6s + 9 = (s + 3)²
Partial fractions
s + 31 = 1(s + 3) + 28
F(s) = 1/(s + 3) + 28/(s + 3)²
Inverse transform
f(t) = e−3t + 28·t·e−3t
f(0.5) = (1 + 28·0.5)·e−3·0.5 = 3.347
Answer
f(0.5) = 3.347
2.Laplace transforms
Answer: y(0.3) = 6.279
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
s²Y − 10s − (−9) + 7(sY − 10) + 12Y = 0
Y(s) = (10s + 61)/((s + 3)(s + 4))
Partial fractions
A = 31/1 = 31
B = 21/(−1) = −21
Result
y(t) = 31·e−3t − 21·e−4t
y(0.3) = 6.279
Answer
y(0.3) = 6.279
Check: y(0) = A + B = 10.
3.Block diagrams
Answer: τ = 0.1 s
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).
Closed-loop transfer function
T(s) = G/(1 + G·H) = 40/(s + 6 + 4) = 40/(s + 10)
Result
τ = 1/10 = 0.1 s
Answer
τ = 0.1 s
4.Block diagrams
Answer: K = 495
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)) = 5·1/(5 + 1K)
Solve for K
5 + 1K = 5·1/0.01 = 500
K = (500 − 5)/1 = 495
Answer
K = 495
5.Step response
Answer: ts = 0.6154 s
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 = 75 → ωₙ = 8.66 rad/s
2ζωₙ = 13 → ζ = 13/(2·8.66) = 0.7506
Result
ζωₙ = 6.5 → ts ≈ 4/6.5 = 0.6154 s
Answer
ts = 0.6154 s
6.Step response
Answer: tp = 6.725 ms
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).
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.
Characteristic polynomial
s³ + 6s² + 11s + 6 + K = 0
Routh array
s³: 1, 11
s²: 6, 6 + K
s¹: (6·11 − 6 − K)/6
s⁰: 6 + K
Condition
The s¹ entry must stay positive.
K < 6·11 − 6 = 60
Answer
Kmax = 60
At the limit the loop oscillates at ω = √11 = 3.317 rad/s.
8.Stability: Routh–Hurwitz & root locus
Answer: θd = −63.43 °
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.
Pole locations
s² + 8s + 17 = 0 → s = −4 ± j1
s = −2
Angles from the other poles
∠(−4 + j1 + 2) = atan2(1, -2) = 153.4°
∠(−4 + j1 − (−4 − j1)) = ∠(j2) = 90°
Angle of departure
θd = 180° − 153.4° − 90° = −63.43°
Answer
θd = −63.43°
9.Steady-state error & PID control
Answer: K = 40
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.
Required error constant
1/(1 + Kp) = 0.2 → Kp = 4
Gain
K/10 = 4 → K = 40
Answer
K = 40
Check the closed-loop stability as well: for this second-order loop any K > 0 is stable.
10.Steady-state error & PID control
Answer: K = 22.22
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 + 8) + 2K = s² + 8s + 2K
Natural frequency
2·0.6·ωₙ = 8 → ωₙ = 6.667 rad/s
Gain
2K = ωₙ² = 44.44 → K = 22.22
Answer
K = 22.22
11.Bode plots & margins
Answer: |G(jω)| = 17.87 dB
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.