COLLEGE OF

ENGINEERING

FEEDBACK AND CONTROL SYSTEMS (FCONSYM)

GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR MIDTERM EXAMS

General Instructions: Copy and answer each item, writing your explanation and/or solutions right after the
question. Mark your final answers. Write neatly and legibly. DO NOT PLAGIARIZE; plagiarized work will be
dealt with accordingly.
1. Pressure regulator. A cutaway view of a commonly used pressure
regulator is shown at the right. The desired pressure is set by turning a
calibrated screw. This compresses the spring and sets up a force that
opposes the upward motion of the diaphragm. The bottom side of the
diaphragm is exposed to the water pressure that is to be controlled. Thus,
the motion of the diaphragm is an indication of the pressure difference
between the desired and the actual pressures. It acts like a comparator.
The valve is connected to the diaphragm and moves according to the
pressure difference until it reaches a position in which the difference is
zero. Sketch a block diagram showing the control system with the output
pressure.

2. Inverted pendulum. Consider the inverted pendulum shown in the figure at

the right. Sketch the block diagram of a feedback control system using this
figure as the model. Identify the process, sensor, actuator and controller. The
objective is to keep the pendulum in the upright position, that is to keep 𝜃 =
0, in the presence of disturbances.

3. System model. A system is represented by the differential equation

𝑑4 𝑐 𝑑3 𝑐 𝑑2 𝑐 𝑑𝑐 𝑑2 𝑟 𝑑𝑟
+ 7 + 11 + 65 + 123𝑐 = + 21 + 16𝑟
𝑑𝑡 4 𝑑𝑡 3 𝑑𝑡 2 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 2 𝑑𝑡
Assuming zero initial conditions, find the transfer function 𝐺 (𝑠) = 𝐶 (𝑠)/𝑅(𝑠) and draw a block diagram
representing the input-process-output relationship of this system.

4. Response of laser printer positioning system. A laser printer uses a laser beam to print copy rapidly
for a computer. The laser is positioned by a control input 𝑟(𝑡), so that
4(𝑠 + 50)
𝑌(𝑠) = 2 ⋅ 𝑅(𝑠)
𝑠 + 30𝑠 + 200
The input 𝑟(𝑡) represents the desired position of the laser beam. If 𝑟(𝑡) is a unit step input, find the output
𝑦(𝑡).

5. Transfer function of passive electrical network. Find the transfer

function 𝐺 (𝑠) = 𝑉𝑜 (𝑠)/𝑉(𝑠) for the electrical network shown at the right.

Feedback and Control Systems (FCONSYM) / 2017 – 2018 / Term 2 Page 1 of 2

6. Bridged-T network. A bridged-T network is often used is AC control system
as a filter network. The circuit of one bridged-T network is shown at the right.
Find the transfer function 𝑉𝑜 (𝑠)/𝑉𝑖𝑛 (𝑠) when 𝑅1 = 0.5 Ω, 𝑅2 = 1 Ω and
𝐶 = 0.5 F.

7. Lead-lag filter. The circuit shown at the right is called a lead-lag filter.
Determine 𝑉2 (𝑠)/𝑉1 (𝑠) when 𝑅1 = 100 kΩ, 𝑅2 = 200 kΩ, 𝐶1 = 1 uF
and 𝐶2 = 0.1 uF.

8. Cascaded op-amp circuit. Determine the transfer

function 𝑉𝑜 (𝑠)/𝑉(𝑠) for the op-am circuit shown if 𝑅1 =
167 kΩ, 𝑅2 = 240 kΩ, 𝑅3 = 1 kΩ, 𝑅4 = 100 kΩ and 𝐶 =
1 uF. Assume an ideal op-amp.

9. Transfer function of translational

mechanical system. For the system whose
diagram is shown at the right, find the transfer
function 𝐺 (𝑠) = 𝑋1 (𝑠)/𝐹(𝑠).

10. Transfer function of rotational mechanical

system. Determine 𝐺(𝑠) = 𝜃1 (𝑠)/𝑇(𝑠) for the
rotational mechanical system shown at the
right.
==========END OF PROBLEM SET==========

Feedback and Control Systems (FCONSYM) / 2017 – 2018 / Term 2 Page 2 of 2