Control System Definition, Types, Applications

A control system is defined as the mechanism or a system that

provides the desired response or output by controlling the input
and processing system. These days, control systems are being
implementing in every smart devices and systems such as traffic
lights system, washing machine, rocket launching systems,
electrical power system, etc.

A control system is a system that is used to control the behavior of a device

or process. It is made up of three main components: a sensor, a controller,
and an actuator. The sensor detects a physical quantity such as
temperature, pressure, or position and converts it into an electrical signal.
The controller processes this signal and generates an output signal that is
used to control the actuator. The actuator is a device that translates the
output signal from the controller into a physical action, such as opening or
closing a valve, turning a motor on or off, or adjusting the speed of a motor.

Closed Loop
Control System

Notes prepared by :
Engr Jawaid Hasan
Control systems are used in a wide range of applications, including
manufacturing, transportation, and energy production. They are an essential
part of many modern devices and systems and are used to maintain stable
and predictable behavior.

Depending on the feedback path present in the system, the control systems can
be classified into following two types, viz −

 Open Loop Control System

 Closed Loop Control System

In this article, we will discuss all the major differences between open loop and
closed loop control systems by considering various parameters such as basic
definition, feedback path, complexity, cost, reliability, applications, etc. But,
before discussing the differences, first we will know what the open loop and
closed loop control systems are.

What is an Open Loop Control System?

An open loop control system is the one in which the output signal is not fed
back to the input of the system. Therefore, an open loop control system is also
referred to as a non-feedback control system.

In case of open loop control system, the output has no control on the control
action of the system. Thus, the open loop control system follows its input signals
regardless of the final results. The block diagram of the open loop control
system is shown in Figure-1. Here, the main components are: controller and
plant (or processing system). The input is supplied to the controller which
produces an actuating signal (or control signal). This actuating single is supplied
to the plant or processing system which is to be controlled.

Notes prepared by :
Engr Jawaid Hasan
The major disadvantage of an open loop control system is that it is poorly
equipped to handle the disturbances which may reduce its ability to complete
the desired task. Some common examples of open loop control system are:
traffic light system, field controlled DC motor, automatic washing machine,
immersion rod, etc.

What is a Closed Loop Control System?

A closed loop control system is the one in which the output signal is fed-back
to the input of the system. Therefore, in a closed loop control system, the
control action is a function of desired output signal.

The main components of a closed loop control system are − controller, plant,
error detector or comparator and feedback element which are connected
together as shown in Figure-2. The error detector accepts input signal and
feedback signal to produce an error signal which is the difference of input and
feedback signals. The feedback signal is the sample of output of the overall
system.

Now, the error signal is supplied to the controller to produce an actuating signal
which controls the plant or processing system to produce desired results.
Therefore, in the closed loop control system, the input of the system is
automatically adjusted to produce a desired response from the system. The
common examples of closed loop control system are − air conditioner system,
rocket launching system, radar tracking system, human respiratory system, etc.

Notes prepared by :
Engr Jawaid Hasan
Difference between Open-Loop Control System and
Closed-Loop Control System
The following table highlights all the major differences between open loop
control system and closed loop control system −

Basis of Open Loop Closed Loop

Difference Control System Control System

A control system in The control system in

which there is no which there is a
feedback path is feedback path
Definition
provided is called present is called
an open loop control a closed loop control
system. system.

Open loop control Closed loop control

system is also called system is also called
Also called
non-feedback a feedback control
control system. system.

In open loop control In closed loop control

system, the control system, the control
action is action is dependent
Control action
independent of the on the output of the
output of the overall system.
system.

The design and Closed loop control

construction of an system has
Design
open loop control comparatively
complexity
system is quite complex design and
simple. construction.

Main The major The main components

Components components of an of a closed loop
open loop control control system are −
system are − Controller, plant or
controller and plant. process, feedback
element and error

Notes prepared by :
Engr Jawaid Hasan
 detector
(comparator).

Open loop control The response of the

system has fast closed loop control
response because system is slow due to
Response
there is no presence of feedback.
measurement and
feedback of output.

The reliability of The closed loop

Reliability open loop control control system is
system is less. more reliable.

The accuracy of Closed loop control

open loop control system is
system depends comparatively
Accuracy upon the system accurate because the
calibration and feedback maintains
therefore, may be its accuracy.
less.

The stability of open Closed loop control

loop control system system is
Stability (in is more, i.e., the comparatively less
terms of output) output of the open stable.
loop system remains
constant.

The open loop Closed loop control

control system is not system is optimized
Optimization
optimized. to produce the
desired output.

Open loop control Comparatively more

system requires less maintenance is
Maintenance
maintenance. needed in closed loop
control system.

Implementation Open loop control The implementation

system is easy to of a closed loop
implement. control system is

Notes prepared by :
Engr Jawaid Hasan
 relatively difficult.

Open loop control The cost of the closed

Cost system is less loop control system is
expensive. relatively high.

Open loop control In closed loop system,

Noise system has more the internal noise in
internal noise. the system is less.

Common practical Examples of closed

examples of open loop control systems
loop control systems include: ACs, fridge,
are − automatic toaster, rocket
Examples
traffic light system, launching system,
automatic washing radar tracking
machine, immersion system, etc.
heater, etc.

Conclusion
The most significant difference between open and closed loop control systems is
that an open loop control system has no feedback path, while a closed loop
control system has feedback path. Both open loop and closed loop control
systems are extensively used in many automatic processes such as traffic light,
automatic washing machines, temperature control systems in refrigerators and
air conditioners, etc.

Notes prepared by :
Engr Jawaid Hasan
Difference Between Positive and Negative Feedback
Positive and Negative feedback are the two major classifications of feedback used
in Control Theory. The significant difference between positive and negative feedback is
that in positive feedback the effective signal at the input is the sum of the actual input
and the feedback signal. On the contrary, in the case of negative feedback, the effective
input signal is the difference of the original input and the feedback signal.

In positive and negative feedback, the relationship between input and output is in-phase
and out-phase respectively.

What is Feedback?

Feedback in the control system is defined as a way of providing output (or a part of the
output) back to the input. The signal can be either current or voltage depending on the
operation. However, both positive and negative feedback possess unidirectional
behaviour in the signal flow.

Feedback is considered to be a major part of a closed-loop control system that utilizes

negative feedback in order to provide a sampled output signal back to the input. This
facilitates the generation of an error signal which is used by the controller to adjust the
necessary input to get the desired output.

Feedback plays a crucial role in control systems thus find various applications in the
process control system, amplifier, and oscillators, etc. Now, let us explore the various
differentiating factors between the two.

Content: Positive Vs Negative Feedback

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Conclusion
Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison Positive Feedback Negative Feedback

Also called as Regenerative feedback Degenerative feedback
Relation between input and In phase Out of phase
output
Overall gain Greater than the gain of the Smaller than the gain of the
system where feedback is not system where feedback is absent.
present.
Effective input Sum of applied input and fed Difference of applied input and
back signal. fed back signal

Notes prepared by :
Engr Jawaid Hasan
Basis for Comparison Positive Feedback Negative Feedback
Transfer function of system
with respective feedback

Stability Less Comparatively more

Phase shift 0° or 360° 180°
Feedback is taken from Non-inverting terminal of op- Inverting Terminal of op-amp
amp
Sensitivity Low High
Use In oscillators. In amplifiers.

Definition of Positive Feedback

Positive feedback or regenerative feedback is the one that takes the output signal which
is in phase with the applied input and fed it back to the reference input. This facilitates
adding the feedback signal with the reference input and the added signal further acts as
the controlling signal for the system in which the feedback loop is incorporated.

The figure below op-amp configuration with positive feedback:

The gain of the system when employed is a control system is high. The positive
feedback systems are majorly employed in oscillator circuits.

Definition of Negative Feedback

Negative feedback also referred as degenerative feedback is a widely used type of

feedback in the control system. Here the signal at the output which is out of phase with

Notes prepared by :
Engr Jawaid Hasan
respect to the input is fed back to the input. Thus, the two signals at the input of the
system get subtracted and the difference of these two signals further drives the system.

This signal is referred as an error signal and used to correct the variation in achieved
output from the desired one in the control system. The figure here shows the negative
feedback configuration of op-amp:

Here the input and output signals are out of phase so the two signals get subtracted and
their difference is achieved. The gain of the system with negative feedback is low in this
case. The negative feedback system is mostly useful in amplifier circuits.

Key Differences Between Positive and Negative Feedback

1. When positive feedback is employed in a system then it increases the effective

input of the system by adding the actual input with the feedback signal. As against,
when a system uses negative feedback then it decreases the overall input of the
system by subtracting the feedback signal from the actually applied input.
2. In positive feedback, the input and output signals are of similar phase and so the
two signals get added. While in negative feedback, the input and output signals are
of different phases thus the two are subtracted.
3. In the op-amp circuits, the non-inverting input terminal is used to provide positive
feedback to it, whereas, the inverting input terminal is used in the same to provide
negative feedback.
4. The overall gain of the system that incorporates positive feedback is more than the
gain of the system in the absence of feedback. On the contrary, the overall gain
with the system possessing negative feedback is less than the gain of the system
with no feedback.

Notes prepared by :
Engr Jawaid Hasan
 5. The phase shift offered by the positive feedback circuit is either 0° or 360°. While
the phase shift in case of the negative feedback circuit is 180°.
6. A positive feedback system is less stable in comparison to a negative feedback
system.
7. The sensitivity offered by a positive feedback system is lesser than a negative
feedback system. This is so because the sensitivity of the closed-loop system is the
inverse of 1 + GH. Thus, if 1 + GH is greater than 1 then the sensitivity is lower.
While if 1 + GH is smaller than 1 then the sensitivity is higher.
Conclusion

Thus, the above discussion concludes that both positive and negative feedback system
possess their own operating domains depending on the advantages and disadvantages
offered by them. The positive feedback improves the overall gain of the system but
reduces the sensitivity of the system. While the negative feedback shows high stability
but decreases the gain of the system.

Notes prepared by :
Engr Jawaid Hasan