Describing Function: Analysis of Nonlinear Systems

The describing function is an approximate procedure for analyzing certain nonlinear control
problems in control engineering. To start, let us first recall the basic definition of a linear
control system. Linear control systems are those where the principle of superposition (if the
two inputs are applied simultaneously, then the output will be the sum of two outputs) is
applicable. In the case of highly nonlinear control systems, we are unable to apply the
principle of superposition.
Analysis of different nonlinear controls system is very difficult due to their nonlinear
behavior. We cannot use conventional analysis methods such as the Nyquist stability criterion
or pole-zero method in order to analyze these nonlinear systems, as these methods are
restricted to linear systems. That said, there are a few advantages to non-linear systems:
• Nonlinear systems can perform better than linear systems.
• Nonlinear systems are less costly than linear systems.
• They are usually small and compact in size as compared to linear systems.
In practice, all physical systems have some form of nonlinearity. Sometimes it may even be
desirable to introduce a nonlinearity deliberately in order to improve the performance of a
system or make its operation safer. At it result, the system is more economical than linear
system.
One of the simplest examples of a system with an intentionally introduced nonlinearity is a
relay controlled or ON/OFF system. For instance, in a typical home heating system, a furnace
is turned ON when the temperature falls below a certain specified value and OFF when the
temperature exceeds another given value. Here we are going to discuss two different types of
analysis or method for analyzing the nonlinear systems. The two methods are written below
and briefly discussed with the help of an example.
• Describing function method in control system
• Phase plane method in control system
Common Non Linearities
In most types of control systems, we can not avoid the presence of certain types of non-
linearities. These can be classified as static or dynamic. A system for which there is a
nonlinear relationship between input and output, that does not involve a differential equation
is called a static nonlinearity. On the other hand, the input and output may be related through
a nonlinear differential equation. Such a system is called a dynamic nonlinearity.
Types of non-linearities in a control system:
• Saturation nonlinearity
• Friction nonlinearity
• Dead zone nonlinearity
• Relay nonlinearity (ON OFF controller)
• Backlash nonlinearity
• Saturation Nonlinearity

Saturation nonlinearity is a common type of nonlinearity. For example see this nonlinearity in
the saturation in the magnetizing curve of DC motor. In order to understand this type of
nonlinearity let us discuss saturation curve or magnetizing curve which is given below:
saturation non linearity

From the above curve we can see that the output showing linear behavior in the beginning but
after that there is a saturation in the curve which one kind of non linearity in the system. We
have also shown approximated curve.
Same type of saturation non linearity also we can see in an amplifier for which the output is
proportional to the input only for a limited range of values of input. When the input exceeds
this range, the output tends to become non linearity.

Friction Nonlinearity
Anything which opposes the relative motion of the body is called friction. It is a kind of non
linearity present in the system. The common example in an electric motor in which we find
coulomb friction drag due to the rubbing contact between the brushes and the commutator.

Friction may be of three types and they are written below:

• Static Friction : In simple words, the static friction acts on the body when the body is
at rest.
• Dynamic Friction : Dynamic friction acts on the body when there is a relative motion
between the surface and the body.
• Limiting Friction : It is defined as the maximum value of limiting friction that acts
on the body when it is at rest.
Dynamic friction can also be classified as (a) Sliding friction (b) Rolling friction. Sliding
friction acts when two bodies slides over each other while rolling acts when the bodies rolls
over another body.
In mechanical system we have two types of friction namely (a) Viscous friction (b) Static
friction.
Dead Zone Nonlinearity
Dead zone nonlinearity is shown in various electrical devices like motors, DC servo motors,
actuators etc. Dead zone non linearities refer to a condition in which output becomes zero
when the input crosses certain limiting value.

Relays Nonlinearity (ON/OFF Controller)

Electromechanical relays are frequently used in control systems where the control strategy
requires a control signal with only two or three states. This is also called as ON/OFF
controller or two state controller.
non linearity of relay

Relay Non-Linearity (a) ON/OFF (b) ON/OFF with Hysteresis (c) ON/OFF with Dead Zone.
Fig (a) shows the ideal characteristics of a bidirectional relay. In practice, relay will not
respond instantaneously. For input currents between the two switching instants, the relay may
be in one position or other depending upon the previous history of the input. This
characteristic is called ON/OFF with hysteresis that shows in Fig (b).

A relay also has a definite amount of dead zone in practice that show in Fig (c). The dead
zone is caused by the fact that the relay field winding requires a finite amount of current to
move the armature.

Backlash Nonlinearity
Another important nonlinearity commonly occurring in the physical system is hysteresis in
mechanical transmissions such as gear trains and linkages. This nonlinearity is somewhat
different from magnetic hysteresis and is commonly referred to as backlash nonlinearities.
Backlash in fact is the play between the teeth of the drive gear and those of the driven gear.
Consider a gearbox as shown in below figure (a) having backlash as illustrated in fig (b).

backlash non linearity

Fig (b) shows the teeth A of the driven gear located midway between the teeth B1, B2 of the
driven gear. Fig (c) gives the relationship between input and output motions. As the teeth A is
driven clockwise from this position, no output motion takes place until the tooth A makes
contact with the tooth B1 of the driven gear after traveling a distance x/2. This output motion
corresponds to the segment mn of fig (c). After the contact is made the driven gear rotates
counterclockwise through the same angle as the drive gear if the gear ratio is assumed to be
unity. This is illustrated by the line segment no. As the input motion is reversed, the contact
between the teeth A and B1 is lost and the driven gear immediately becomes stationary based
on the assumption that the load is friction controlled with negligible inertia.
The output motion, therefore, causes till tooth A has traveled a distance x in the reverse
direction as shown in fig (c) by the segment op. After the tooth A establishes contact with the
tooth B2, the driven gear now mores in a clockwise direction as shown by segment pq. As the
input motion is reversed the direction gear is again at standstill for the segment qr and then
follows the drive gear along rn.
Describing Function Analysis of Nonlinear Systems
The describing function method in control system was invented by Nikolay Mitrofanovich
Kryloy and Nikolay Bogoliubov in year of 1930 and later it developed by Ralph
Kochenburger.
The describing function method is used for finding out the stability of a non linear system of
all the analytical methods developed over the years for non linear control systems, this
method is generally agreed upon as being the most practically useful. This method is
basically an approximate extension of frequency response methods including Nyquist
stability criterion to non linear system.
The describing function method of a non linear system is defined to be the complex ratio of
amplitudes and phase angle between fundamental harmonic components of output to input
sinusoid. We can also called sinusoidal describing function. Mathematically,

Where,
N = describing function,
X = amplitude of input sinusoid,
Y = amplitude of the fundamental harmonic component of output,
φ1 = phase shift of the fundamental harmonic component of output.
Let us discuss the basic concept of describing the function of non linear control system.Let us
consider the below block diagram of a non linear system, where G1(s) and G2(s) represent
the linear element and N represent the non linear element.

Let us assume that input x to the non linear element is sinusoidal, i.e,
For this input, the output y of the non linear element will be a non sinusoidal periodic
function that may be expressed in terms of Fourier series as

Most of nonlinearities are odd symmetrical or odd half wave symmetrical; the mean value Y0
for all such case is zero and therefore output will be,

As G1(s) G2(s) has low pass characteristics, it can be assumed to a good degree of
approximation that all higher harmonics of y are filtered out in the process, and the input x to
the nonlinear element N is mainly contributed by fundamental component of y i.e. first
harmonics. So in the describing function analysis, we assume that only the fundamental
harmonic component of the output. Since the higher harmonics in the output of a non linear
system are often of smaller amplitude than the amplitude of fundamental harmonic
component. Most control systems are low pass filters, with the result that the higher
harmonics are very much attenuated compared with the fundamental harmonic component.

Hence, y1 need only be considered.

We can write y1(t) in the form,

Where by using phasor,

The coefficient A1 and B1 of the Fourier series are given by-

From definition of describing function we have,

Let us find out describing function for these non linearities.

Describing Function for Saturation Non Linearity

We have the characteristic curve for saturation as shown in the given figure.
Let us take input function as

Now from the curve we can define the output as:

Let us first calculate Fourier series constant A1.

On substituting the value of the output in the above equation and integrating the function
from 0 to 2π we have the value of the constant A1 as zero.
Similarly we can calculate the value of Fourier constant B1 for the given output and the value
of B1 can be calculated as,
The phase angle for the describing function can be calculated as

Thus the describing function for saturation is

Describing Function for Ideal Relay

We have the characteristic curve for ideal relay as shown in the given figure.
Let us take input function as

Now from the curve we can define the output as

The output periodic function has odd symmetry :

Let us first calculate Fourier series constant A1.

On substituting the value of the output in the above equation and integrating the function
from 0 to 2π we have the value of the constant A1 as zero.
Similarly we can calculate the value of Fourier constant B1 for the given output and the value
of B1 can be calculated as

On substituting the value of the output in the above equation y(t) = Y we have the value of
the constant B1

And the phase angle for the describing function can be calculated as

Thus the describing function for an ideal relay is

Describing Function for Real Relay (Relay with Dead Zone)

We have the characteristic curve for real realy as shown in the given figure. If X is less than
dead zone Δ, then the relay produces no output; the first harmonic component of Fourier
series is of course zero and describing function is also zero. If X > Δ the relay produces the
output.

Let us take input function as

Now from the curve we can define the output as

The output periodic function has odd symmetry :

Let us first calculate Fourier series constant A1.

On substituting the value of the output in the above equation and integrating the function
from 0 to 2π we have the value of the constant A1 as zero.
Similarly we can calculate the value of Fourier constant B for the given output and the value
of B can be calculated as

Due to the symmetry of y, the coefficient B1 can be calculated as follows,

Therefore, the describing function is

Describing Function for Backlash Non Linearity

We have the characteristic curve for backlash as shown in the given figure. Let us take input
function as

Now from the curve we can define the output as

Let us first calculate Fourier series constant A1.

On substituting the value of the output in the above equation and integrating the function
from zero to 2π we have the value of the constant A1 as

Similarly we can calculate the value of Fourier constant B for the given output and the value
of B1 can be calculated as

On substituting the value of the output in the above equation and integrating the function
from zero to pi we have the value of the constant B1 as

We can easily calculate the describing function of backlash from below equation