Module 13
Module 13
13.2) Construction of SFG from Block Diagram : Let us consider the block diagram
representation of a system is shown below and its equivalent SFG is also represented below as:-
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Now from the above figure, input and output signals have to be named as nodes (here, ). Name the
summing points as one of the nodes (here say . Name the takeoff point as another node (here say .
If there is no block between the summing point and takeoff point, name it as single node (here say
The blocks with gain are represented as branches connecting the nodes from as input
through as output. Here represents the gain of a feedback branch connecting . represents
the gain of a special branch known as “Self Loop” connecting the node itself.
13.3) Basic Terminologies Associated with SFG : By considering the SFG shown below, the
different terms used in SFG are explained below as:-
(i) Node: It is a system component which is equal to the sum of all incoming signals at a point. Outgoing
signals from the node do not affect the value of the node component. For example considering the SFG
shown above, here is all defined as “Nodes”. The value of the selected nodes as:-
In these two above cases the nodes are acting as summing point. The value of another selected node
can be expressed as:-
Thus, the node value is transmitted through the branch from the node . In this case the node acts
as a transmitting point. Here, the signal is times amplified.
(iii) Transmittance: It is defined as the gain between nodes or branch gain. Such gains are expressed in
terms of transfer function.
(iv) Input Node / Source Node: It is defined as the node which has only outgoing branches. For example
node in the above figure is defined as a source node.
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(v) Output Node / Sink Node: It is defined as a node which has only incoming branches. For example node
in the above figure is defined as a sink node.
(vi) Chain Node / Mixed Node: It is defined as the node which has both incoming and outgoing branches.
For example node in the above figure, have both incoming as well as outgoing signals,
hence they are known as chain / mixed nodes.
(vii) Path: It is defined as the traversal way from one node to another node in the direction of the signal
(branch arrow), such that no same node traversed more than once.
(viii) Forward Path: It is defined as the path from the input node to the output node. For example path
in the above figure, is defined as a forward path.
(ix) Closed Loop: This is defined as a circular path which starts from a particular node and ends in the
same node from where the signal first starts its journey. For example in the above figure,
forms a closed path having two branches and hence it is known as closed loop.
(x) Self Loop: It is also defined as a circular path which starts from a particular node and ends in the same
node from where the signal first starts its journey, but having only one branch. For example in the
above figure have only one branch, so it is known as Self Loop.
(xi) Path Gain: It is defined as the product of all the branch gains in a path. For example, the path gains
for the path as shown in the above figure.
(xii) Loop Gain: It is defined as the product of branch gains in a closed loop. For example, loop gains of
the loop as shown in the above figure.
(xiii) Non-Touching Loop: It is defined as a sub-graph forming loop (especially closed loop) but does not
touch its neighbouring loops and nodes of the forward path.
13.4) Rules for Construction of SFG from Block Diagram : The rules for construction of
SFG from Block Diagram are as follows:
RULE-1: Replace the input signal and output signal by its respective nodes.
RULE-3: Replace all the takeoff point if present by its respective nodes.
RULE-4: If the branch connecting a summing point and takeoff point has unity value gain, then the
Summing point and the takeoff point both can be combined and represented as a single
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FIG-13.4 (a): OPERATION OF RULE-4
RULE-5: If there are more takeoff points from the same signal, then all the takeoff points can be
Combined and replaced by a single node. This operation is shown below as:-
RULE-6: If the gain of the link connecting two summing points as one, then these two summing points
Can be combined and replaced by a single node. This operation is shown below as:-
RULE-7: In the summing point if the gain is represented as negative unity, then subtract a signal instead
Of adding and then multiply the transmittance by -1 while representing in SFG. This operation
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FIG-13.4 (d): OPERATION OF RULE-7 (TO SOME EXTENT SAME AS RULE-6)
13.5) Mason’s Gain Formula: Mason’s Gain Formula is used for determining the overall response
function/ transfer function (gain) of a system. It is a convenient and easy way of finding the relation
between the input and the output components from the SFG. The number of steps involved in the Block
Diagram Reduction technique as we have already covered, is high and it is time consuming process. On
the other hand, any complex Block Diagram can be converted into SFG by following the rules of
conversion and its response function can be easily obtained using Mason’s Gain Formula. Mason’s Gain
Formula can be represented as:-
Where, k = Total number of forward path with its path gain present in the SFG.
= 1- (sum of all individual loop gains) + {(sum of gain products of all possible combinations
Of two non-touching loops at a time - sum of gain products of all possible combinations
= part of the graph which is not touching to the forward path. Generally all the
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Example-1: Construct an equivalent SFG for the Block Diagram shown below and also evaluate the
overall response function for the system using Mason’s Gain Technique.
Solution:
The SFG for the above Block Diagram is shown below can be obtained by using the rules given in the
section (13.4). So the resultant SFG is as follows:-
From the above SFG we will now compute the overall response function by using Mason’s Gain
formula and for that we have to calculate the following:-
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(i) Forward path number 1 with path gain as;
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(iv) Closed Loop number 4 with loop gain as; (
3} Two Non-touching Loops: There are 0 number of two non-touching loop present at a time.
( ∑
1- (Sum of all individual loop gains) + {(sum of gain products of all possible combinations
Of two non-touching loops at a time - sum of gain products of all possible combinations
= 1- { ( ( ( ( +( }
= 1+
Thus:-
(
( ( ( {As the value of .
(
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Example-2: Compute the overall transfer function for the given system shown below by using SFG
technique.
Solution:
The SFG for the above Block Diagram is shown below can be obtained by using the rules given in the
section (13.4). So the resultant SFG is as follows:-
From the above SFG we will now compute the overall response function by using Mason’s Gain
formula and for that we have to calculate the following:-
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(ii) Forward path number 2 with path gain as;
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(iv) Closed Loop number 4 with loop gain as; (
3} Two Non-touching Loops: There is 1 number of two non-touching loop present at a time.
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So the mason’s gain formula is:-
( ∑
1- (Sum of all individual loop gains) + {(sum of gain products of all possible combinations
Of two non-touching loops at a time - sum of gain products of all possible combinations
= 1- { ( ( ( ( +( ( ( }
= 1+ ( ( ( ( -( ( (
Thus:-
(
=
( ( ( ( ( ( (
HOME WORK
Exercise-1: Compute the overall transfer function for the given system shown below by using SFG
technique.
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Exercise-2: Compute the overall transfer function for the given system shown below by using SFG
technique.
Exercise-3: Construct an equivalent SFG for the Block Diagram shown below and also evaluate the
overall response function for the system using Mason’s Gain Technique
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