Outline

Introduction
Angle and Magnitude Condition
Construction of Root Loci
Examples
 Introduction
Consider a unity feedback control system
shown below.
K
R (s ) C (s )
s 1

The open loop transfer function G(s) of

K
the system
G ( s )
s 1
is

And the closed transfer function is

C (s) G (s) K

R( s) 1 G ( s) s 1 K
 Introduction
The open loop stability does not depend
upon gain K. K
G ( s)
s 1

Whereas, the location of closed loop

poles vary with the variation in gain.
C ( s) K

R( s) s 1 K
 Introduction
Location of closed loop Pole for different
values of K (remember
C ( s) K>0).
K

R( s) s 1 K
Pole-Zero Map
K Pole 1

0. -1.5
5 0.5

1 -2
Imaginary Axis

2 -3 0
K 0
3 -4 K
-0.5
5 -6
10 -11
15 -16 -16 -14 -12 -10 -8 -6 -4 -2
 What is Root Locus?
The root locus is the path of the roots of
the characteristic equation traced out in
the s-plane as a system parameter
varies from zero to infinity.
 How to Sketch root locus?
One way is to compute the roots of
the characteristic equation for all
possible values of K.
K Pole
0. -1.5
5
C ( s) K
1 -2
R( s) s 1 K
2 -3
3 -4
5 -6
10 -11
 How to Sketch root locus?
Computing the roots for all values of
K might be tedious for higher order
systems. K Pole
0. ?
5
C ( s) K 1 ?

R( s ) s ( s 1)( s 10)( s 20) K 2 ?
3 ?
5 ?
10 ?
15 ?
 Construction of Root Loci
Finding the roots of the characteristic equation of
degree higher than 3 is laborious and will need
computer solution.

A simple method for finding the roots of the

characteristic equation has been developed by W. R.
Evans and used extensively in control engineering.

This method, called the root-locus method, is one in

which the roots of the characteristic equation are
plotted for all values of a system parameter.
 Construction of Root Loci
The roots corresponding to a particular
value of this parameter can then be located
on the resulting graph.

Note that the parameter is usually the gain,

but any other variable of the open-loop
transfer function may be used.

By using the root-locus method the

designer can predict the effects on the
location of the closed-loop poles of varying
the gain value or adding open-loop poles
and/or open-loop zeros.
 Angle & Magnitude
In
Conditions
constructing the root loci angle and
magnitude conditions are important.
Consider the system shown in following
figure.

The closed loop transfer function is

C (s) G ( s)

R( s) 1 G( s) H ( s)
 Construction of Root Loci
The characteristic equation is obtained by
setting the denominator polynomial equal
to zero.
1 G ( s) H ( s) 0
Or
G ( s ) H ( s ) 1

Where G(s)H(s) is a ratio of polynomial in s.

Since G(s)H(s) is a complex quantity it can

be split into angle and magnitude part.
 Angle & Magnitude

Conditions
The angle of G(s)H(s)=-1 is

G ( s ) H ( s ) 1
G ( s ) H ( s ) 180 (2k 1)

Where k=1,2,3

The magnitude of G(s)H(s)=-1 is

G (s) H (s) 1
G (s) H (s) 1
 Angle & Magnitude
Conditions
Angle Condition
G ( s) H ( s ) 180 (2k 1) (k 1,2,3...)
Magnitude Condition

G (s) H (s) 1
The values of s that fulfill both the angle and
magnitude conditions are the roots of the
characteristic equation, or the closed-loop
poles.

A locus of the points in the complex plane

satisfying the angle condition alone is the root
locus.
 Angle and Magnitude Conditions
(Graphically)
To apply Angle and magnitude conditions
graphically we must first draw the poles and
zeros of G(s)H(s) in s-plane.

Pole-Zero Map
For example if G(s)H(s) is
1 given by

s 1 0.5

G(s) H (s)
s( s 3)( s 4) Imaginary Axis
0

-0.5

-1
-4 -3.5 -3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0
Real Axis
 Angle and Magnitude Conditions
(Graphically)
Pole-Zero Map
1
p

0.5
Imaginary Axis

1 2 1 3
0

G ( s ) H ( s) s p 1 1 2 3
-0.5
If angle of G(s)H(s) at s=p is equal to
180o(2k+1) the point p is on root locus.

-1
-4 -3.5 -3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0
 Angle and Magnitude Conditions
graphically
Pole-Zero Map
1
p

0.5

A B1
B3 B2
Imaginary Axis

s 1 s p A
-0.5 G (s) H ( s) s p
s s p s 3 s p s 4 s p B1 B2 B3

-1
-4 -3.5 -3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0
 Example#1
Apply angle and magnitude conditions
(Analytically as well as graphically) on
following unity feedback system at s=-
0.25.
 Example#1
K
Here G (s) H (s)
s ( s 1)( s 2)

For the given system the angle condition

becomes
K
G ( s ) H ( s )
s ( s 1)( s 2)

G ( s ) H ( s ) K s ( s 1) ( s 2)

K s ( s 1) ( s 2) 180(2k 1)
 Example#1
G ( s) H ( s ) s 0.25 K s 0.25 s s 0.25 ( s 1) s 0.25 ( s 2) s 0.25

G ( s ) H ( s ) s 0.25 (0.25) (0.75) (1.75)

G ( s ) H ( s ) s 0.25 180 0 0

G ( s ) H ( s ) s 0.25 180(2k 1)
 Example#1
K
Here G (s) H (s)
s ( s 1)( s 2)

And the Magnitude condition becomes

K
G (s) H ( s) 1
s ( s 1)( s 2)
 Example#1
Now we know from angle condition that the
point s=-0.25 is on the rot locus. But we do
not know the value of gain K at that specific
point.

We can use magnitude condition to determine

the value of gain at any point on the root
K
locus. 1
s ( s 1)( s 2) s 0.25

K
1
(0.25)(0.25 1)(0.25 2) s 0.25
 Example#1
K
1
(0.25)(0.25 1)(0.25 2) s 0.25

K
1
(0.25)(0.75)(1.75)

K
1
0.3285

K
1
0.328
K 0.328
 Example#1
Home work:

Check whether following point are on the

root locus or not (Graphically as well as
analytically) ? If yes determine the value
of gain K.

1. s=-0.2+j0.937
2. s=-1+j2
 Construction of root loci
Step-1: The first step in constructing a
root-locus plot is to locate the open-loop
poles and zeros in s-plane.
1
Pole-Zero Map

0.5

Imaginary Axis
0

K
G ( s) H ( s) -0.5

s ( s 1)( s 2)
-1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
Real Axis
 Construction of root loci
Step-2: Determine the root loci on the real axis.

To determine the root Pole-Zero Map

loci on real axis we 1
select some test
points.
0.5
e.g: p1 (on positive
real axis).
Imaginary Axis
p1
0

The angle condition is -0.5

not satisfied.
-1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
Hence, there is no
Real Axis
root locus on the
positive real axis.
 Construction of root loci
Step-2: Determine the root loci on the real axis.

Next, select a test point on

the negative real axis Pole-Zero Map
between 0 and 1. 1

Then
0.5

Thus p2

Imaginary Axis
0

The angle condition is -0.5

satisfied. Therefore, the
portion of the negative real
axis between 0 and 1 -1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
forms a portion of the root Real Axis
locus.
 Construction of root loci
Step-2: Determine the root loci on the real axis.

Now, select a test point on

the negative real axis Pole-Zero Map
1
between -1 and 2.
Then
0.5

p3

Imaginary Axis
Thus 0

-0.5
The angle condition is not
satisfied. Therefore, the
negative real axis between -1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
-1 and 2 is not a part of Real Axis
the root locus.
 Construction of root loci
Step-2: Determine the root loci on the real axis.

Pole-Zero Map
Similarly, test point on 1

the negative real axis

between -2 and 0.5
satisfies the angle
condition. p4

Imaginary Axis
0

Therefore, the negative

real axis between -2 and -0.5

is part of the root

locus. -1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
Real Axis
 Construction of root loci
Step-2: Determine the root lociMap
Pole-Zero on the real axis.
1

0.5
Imaginary Axis

-0.5

-1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
 Construction of root loci
Step-3: Determine the asymptotes of the root loci.

Asymptote is the straight line approximation of a curve

Actual Curve
Asymptotic Approximatio
 Construction of root loci
Step-3: Determine the asymptotes of the
root loci.
180(2k 1)
Angle of asymptotes
nm

where
n-----> number of poles
m-----> number of zeros
K
G( s) H ( s)
s ( s 1)( s 2)
For this Transfer Function

180(2k 1)

30
 Construction of root loci
Step-3: Determine the asymptotes of the root
loci. 180(2k 1)
60 when k 0
30
180 when k 1
300 when k 2
420 when k 3

Since the angle repeats itself as k is varied, the

distinct angles for the asymptotes are determined
as 60, 60, -180and 180.
Thus, there are three asymptotes having angles
60, 60, 180.
 Construction of root loci
Step-3: Determine the asymptotes of the root
loci.

Before we can draw these asymptotes in the

complex plane, we must find the point where
they intersect the real axis.

Point of intersection of asymptotes on real axis

(or centroid of asymptotes) can be find as out
poles zeros

nm
 Construction of root loci
Step-3: Determine the asymptotes of the root
loci.
K
G (s) H ( s)
s ( s 1)( s 2)
For

(0 1 2) 0

30

3
1
3
 Construction of root loci
Step-3: Determine the asymptotes of the root
loci. Pole-Zero Map
1

0.5
60 ,60 , 180
Imaginary Axis

180 60
0
1 60

-0.5

-1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
Real Axis
 Home Work
Consider following unity feedback
system.

Determine
Root loci on real axis
Angle of asymptotes
Centroid of asymptotes
 Construction of root loci
Step-4: Determine the breakaway point.
Pole-Zero Map
1
The breakaway
point corresponds
to a point in the s 0.5
plane where
multiple roots of Imaginary Axis

the characteristic 0
equation occur.

It is the point from -0.5

which the root

locus branches
-1
leaves real axis -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
and enter in Real Axis
 Construction of root loci
Step-4: Determine the break-in point.
Pole-Zero Map
1
The break-in point
corresponds to a
point in the s plane 0.5
where multiple
roots of the Imaginary Axis

characteristic 0
equation occur.

It is the point -0.5

where the root

locus branches
-1
arrives at real axis. -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
Real Axis
 Construction of root loci
Step-4: Determine the breakaway point or
break-in point.
The breakaway or break-in points can be determined
from the roots of dK
0
ds
It should be noted that not all the solutions of
dK/ds=0 correspond to actual breakaway points.

If a point at which dK/ds=0 is on a root locus, it is an

actual breakaway or break-in point.

Stated differently, if at a point at which dK/ds=0 the

value of K takes a real positive value, then that point
is an actual breakaway or break-in point.
 Construction of root loci
Step-4: Determine the breakaway point or
break-in point. K
G (s) H ( s)
s ( s 1)( s 2)

The characteristic equation K

of the system is
1 G ( s) H ( s) 1 0
s ( s 1)( s 2)

K
1
s ( s 1)( s 2)

K s ( s 1)( s 2)

The breakaway dK
pointd can now be determined
s ( s 1)( s 2)
as ds ds
 Construction of root loci
Step-4: Determine the breakaway point or
break-in point.dK d
s( s 1)(s 2)
ds ds
dK
ds

d 3
ds

s 3s 2 2 s
dK
3s 2 6s 2
ds

Set dK/ds=0 in order

3s 2 6sto
2 determine
0 breakaway
point. 2
3s 6s 2 0

s 0.4226
1.5774
 Construction of root loci
Step-4: Determine the breakaway point or
break-in point. s 0.4226 K
G(s) H (s)
s ( s 1)( s 2)
1.5774

Since the breakaway point must lie on a root

locus between 0 and 1, it is clear that s=0.4226
corresponds to the actual breakaway point.
Point s=1.5774 is not on the root locus. Hence,
this point is not an actual breakaway or break-in
point.
In fact, evaluation of the values of K
corresponding to s=0.4226 and s=1.5774 yields
 Construction of root loci
Step-4: Determine the breakaway point.
Pole-Zero Map
1

0.5

s 0.4226
Imaginary Axis

180 60
0
60

-0.5

-1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
Real Axis
 Construction of root loci
Step-4: Determine the breakaway
Pole-Zero Map
point.
1

0.5

s 0.4226
Imaginary Axis

-0.5

-1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
Real Axis
 Home Work
Determine the Breakaway and break
in points
 Solution

K ( s 2 8s 15)
1
s 3s 2
2

( s 2 3s 2)
K 2
( s 8s 15)
Differentiating K with respect to s and setting the derivative equal to
zero yields;
dK [( s 8s 15)(2s 3) ( s 3s 2)(2 s 8)]
2 2
0
ds ( s 8s 15)
2 2

11s 2 26s 61 0

Hence, solving for s, we find the

break-away and break-in points; s = -1.45 and 3.82
 Solution

-1.45 3.82
 Construction of root loci
Step-5: Determine the points where root loci
cross the imaginary axis.
Pole-Zero Map
1

0.5
Imaginary Axis

180 60
0
60

-0.5

-1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
 Construction of root loci
Step-5: Determine the points where root loci
cross the imaginary axis.
These points can be found by use of Rouths
stability criterion.

Since the characteristic equation for the present

system is

The Routh Array Becomes

 Construction of root loci
Step-5: Determine the points where root loci
cross the imaginary axis.
The value(s) of K that makes the
system marginally stable is 6.
The crossing points on the
imaginary axis can then be
found by solving the auxiliary
equation obtained from the s2
row, that is,

Which yields
 Construction of root loci
Step-5: Determine the points where root loci
cross the imaginary axis.
An alternative approach is to let s=j in the
characteristic equation, equate both the real part
and the imaginary part to zero, and then solve for
and K.

For present system 2 the characteristic equation

s 3s 2 s K 0
3
is
( j ) 3 3( j ) 2 2 j K 0

( K 3 2 ) j (2 3 ) 0
 Construction of root loci
Step-5: Determine the points where root loci
cross the imaginary axis.
( K 3 2 ) j (2 3 ) 0
Equating both real and imaginary parts of this
equation to zero
(2 3 ) 0

( K 3 2 ) 0
Which yields
 Root Locus
5

1
Imaginary Axis

-1

-2

-3

-4

-5
-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
Real Axis
 Example#2
Consider following unity feedback system.

Determine the value of K such that the

damping ratio of a pair of dominant complex-
conjugate closed-loop poles is 0.5.
K
G ( s) H ( s)
s ( s 1)( s 2)
 Example#2
The damping ratio of 0.5 corresponds to
cos

cos 1

cos 1 (0.5) 60
?
 Example#2
The value of K that yields such poles is found
from the magnitude condition

K
1
s ( s 1)( s 2) s 0.3337 j 0.5780
 Example#2
The third closed loop pole at K=1.0383 can be
obtained as
K
1 G(s) H (s) 1 0
s ( s 1)( s 2)
1.0383
1 0
s ( s 1)( s 2)

s ( s 1)( s 2) 1.0383 0
 Home Work
Consider following unity feedback system.

Determine the value of K such that the

natural undamped frequency of dominant
complex-conjugate closed-loop poles is 1
rad/sec. K
G ( s) H ( s)
s ( s 1)( s 2)
 Root Locus

1.5

-0.2+j0.96
1

0.5
Imaginary Axis

-0.5

-1

-1.5

-2

-3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5

 Example#3
Sketch the root locus of following
system and determine the location of
dominant closed loop poles to yield
maximum overshoot in the step
response less than 30%.
 Example#3
Step-1: Pole-Zero Map
Pole-Zero Map
1

0.8

0.6

0.4
Imaginary Axis

0.2

-0.2

-0.4

-0.6

-0.8

-1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1
Real Axis
 Example#3
Step-2: Root Loci on Real axis
Pole-Zero Map
1

0.8

0.6

0.4
Imaginary Axis

0.2

-0.2

-0.4

-0.6

-0.8

-1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1
Real Axis
 Example#3
Step-3: Asymptotes
Pole-Zero Map
1

0.8

0.6
90 0.4
Imaginary Axis

0.2
2 0

-0.2

-0.4

-0.6

-0.8

-1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1
Real Axis
 Example#3
Step-4: breakaway point
Pole-Zero Map
1

0.8

0.6

0.4
Imaginary Axis

0.2

-0.2 -1.55
-0.4

-0.6

-0.8

-1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1
Real Axis
 Example#3
Root Locus
8

2
Imaginary Axis

-2

-4

-6

-8
-4.5 -4 -3.5 -3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5
Real Axis
 Example#3
Mp<30% corresponds to


1 2
Mp e 100

1 2
30% e 100

0.35

cos 1 (0.35)

69.5
 Example#3 Root Locus
8

2
Imaginary Axis

-2

-4

-6

-8
-4.5 -4 -3.5 -3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5
Real Axis
 Example#3
Root Locus
8

System: sys
4
Gain: 28.9
Pole: -1.96 + 5.19i
2 Damping: 0.354
Overshoot (%): 30.5
Imaginary Axis

Frequency (rad/sec): 5.55

0

-2

-4

-6

-8
-4.5 -4 -3.5 -3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5
Real Axis
Example-4: For the system shown below, find the
frequency and gain, K, for which the root locus crosses
the imaginary j-axis. For what range of gain K is the
system stable?

The closed-loop transfer function for the

system is;
 Example-4:
Continue.

A complete row of zeros yields the possibility for imaginary axis roots.

For positive values of gain, K > 0, those for which the root locus is
plotted, only the s1 row can yield a row of zeros. Thus,
From the above equation, K is evaluated as; K = 9.65, -74.6.
Forming the even polynomial by using the s2 row with K = 9.65, we
obtain

Thus the root locus crosses the j-axis at s = j1.59 at a gain,

K = 9.65.
 Practice Exercise-1
PROBLEM: Given a unity feedback system that has the forward
transfer function;

Do the following:

a.Calculate the angle of G(s) at the point (3 + j0) by finding the

algebraic sum of angles of the vectors drawn from the zeros and poles
of G(s) to the given point.

b.Determine if the point specified in part (a) is on the root locus.

c.If the point specified in part (a) is on the root locus, then find the
gain, K, using the lengths of the vectors.
Answers of Practice Exercise-1
 Practice Exercise-2

PROBLEM: Sketch the root locus and its asymptotes for

a unity feedback system that has the forward transfer
function
Answers of Practice Exercise-2
 Root Locus of Higher Order
System
Sketch the Root Loci of following unity feedback
system

K ( s 3)
G (s) H ( s)
s ( s 1)( s 2)( s 4)
 Let us begin by calculating the asymptotes. The real-
axis intercept is evaluated as;

The angles of the lines that intersect at - 4/3, given by

 The Figure shows the complete root locus as well as
the asymptotes that were just calculated.
 Example: Sketch the root locus for the system with the
characteristic equation of;

a) Number of finite poles = n = 4.

b) Number of finite zeros = m = 1.
c) Number of asymptotes = n - m = 3.
d) Number of branches or loci equals to the number of finite
poles (n) = 4.
e) The portion of the real-axis between, 0 and -2, and between,
-4 and -, lie on the root locus for K > 0.
Using Eq. (v), the real-axis asymptotes intercept is evaluated as;

The angles of the asymptotes that intersect at - 3, given by Eq.

(vi), are;
For K = 0, a = 60o
For K = 1, a = 180o
For K = 2, a = 300o
 The root-locus plot of the system is shown in the figure below.
It is noted that there are three asymptotes. Since n m = 3.
The root loci must begin at the poles; two loci (or branches) must leave
the double pole at s = -4.
Using Eq. (vii), the breakaway point, , can be determine as;

The solution of the above equation is

 Example: Sketch the root loci for the system.

A root locus exists on the real axis between points s = 1 and s = 3.6.
The intersection of the asymptotes and the real axis is determined as,

The angles of the asymptotes that intersect at 1.3, given by Eq. (vi),
are;
For K = 0, a = 90o
For K = 1, a = -90o or 270o

Since the characteristic equation is

(a)
We have
 The breakaway and break-in points are found from Eq. (a) as,

From which we get,

Point s = 0 corresponds to the actual breakaway point. But points

are neither breakaway nor break-in points, because the
corresponding gain values K become complex quantities.