PAMANTASAN NG CABUYAO

COLLEGE OF COMPUTING AND ENGINEERING

COURSE CODE: CPP111

COURSE DESCRIPTION: FEEDBACK CONTROL SYSTEM

COURSE INTENDED On the completion of the course, student is expected to be able to do the
LEARNING OUTCOMES: following:

1. Describe how control system works on different applications on

the industry.
2. Design and formulate control system representation using
diagrams.
3. Design different control system relevant to the industry using
simulation software’s and diagrams.

LEARNING MATERIAL FOR 6

WEEK NUMBER:

I. TITLE: Transfer Function

II. OBJECTIVES: By the end of this module you should be able to:
1. Understand what Transfer Function is all about
2. Derive different Equations that would clarify given scenarios on
engineering problems
3. Solve given application problems thru applying the transfer
function

III. INTRODUCTION: In Wikipedia, “In engineering, a transfer function (also known as system
function or network function) of an electronic or control system
component is a mathematical function which theoretically models the
device's output for each possible input.

In its simplest form, this function is a two-dimensional graph of an

independent scalar input versus the dependent scalar output, called a
transfer curve or characteristic curve. Transfer functions for components
are used to design and analyze systems assembled from components,
particularly using the block diagram technique, in electronics and control
theory.”
IV. CONTENTS:

Lesson Coverage:

1. Introduction to Transfer Function

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COLLEGE OF COMPUTING AND ENGINEERING

INTRODUCTION TO TRANSFER FUNCTION

The transfer function is a convenient representation of a linear time invariant dynamical system. Mathematically
the transfer function is a function of complex variables. For finite dimensional systems the transfer function is
simply a rational function of a complex variable.

The transfer function can be obtained by inspection or by by simple algebraic manipulations of the differential
equations that describe the systems. Transfer functions can describe systems of very high order, even infinite
dimensional systems governed by partial differential equations.

The transfer function of a system can be determined from experiments on a system.

Block Diagrams and Transfer Functions

The combination of block diagrams and transfer functions is a powerful way to represent control systems.
Transfer functions relating different signals in the system can be derived by pure algebraic manipulations of the
transfer functions of the blocks using block diagram algebra.

A transfer function represents the relationship between the output signal of a control system and the input signal,
for all possible input values. A block diagram is a visualization of the control system which uses blocks to
represent the transfer function, and arrows which represent the various input and output signals.

For any control system, there exists a reference input known as excitation or because which operates through a
transfer operation (i.e. the transfer function) to produce an effect resulting in controlled output or response.

Thus the cause and effect relationship between the output and input is related to each other through a transfer
function.

Transfer Function

In a Laplace Transform, if the input is represented by R(s) and the output is represented by C(s), then the transfer
function will be:

In a Laplace Transform, if the input is represented by R(s) and the output is represented by C(s), then the transfer
function will be:

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COLLEGE OF COMPUTING AND ENGINEERING

That is, the transfer function of the system multiplied by the input function gives the output function of the system.

The transfer function of a control system is defined as the ratio of the Laplace transform of the output variable to
Laplace transform of the input variable assuming all initial conditions to be zero.

Where, T(S) = G(S)

T(S) = Transfer function of the system.

C(S) = output.

R(S) = Reference output.

G(S) = Gain.

Procedure for determining the transfer function of a control system are as follows:

1. We form the equations for the system.

2. Now we take Laplace transform of the system equations, assuming initial conditions as zero.

3. Specify system output and input.

4. Lastly we take the ratio of the Laplace transform of the output and the Laplace transform of the input
which is the required transfer function.

Methods of Obtaining a Transfer Function

There are major two ways of obtaining a transfer function for the control system. The ways are:

• Block Diagram Method: It is not convenient to derive a complete transfer function for a complex control
system. Therefore, the transfer function of each element of a control system is represented by a block
diagram. Block diagram reduction techniques are applied to obtain the desired transfer function.

• Signal Flow Graphs: The modified form of a block diagram is a signal flow graph. Block diagram gives a
pictorial representation of a control system. Signal flow graph further shortens the representation of a
control system.

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COLLEGE OF COMPUTING AND ENGINEERING

Poles and Zeros of Transfer Function

Generally, a function can be represented to its polynomial form. For example,

Now similarly transfer function of a control system can also be represented as

Where K is known as the gain factor of the transfer function.

Now in the above function if s = z1, or s = z2, or s = z3,….s = zn, the value of transfer function becomes zero.
These z1, z2, z3,….zn, are roots of the numerator polynomial. As for these roots the numerator polynomial, the
transfer function becomes zero, these roots are called zeros of the transfer function.

Now, if s = p1, or s = p2, or s = p3,….s = pm, the value of transfer function becomes infinite. Thus the roots of
denominator are called the poles of the function.

Now let us rewrite the transfer function in its polynomial form.

Now, let us consider s approaches to infinity as the roots are all finite number, they can be ignored compared to
the infinite s. Therefore

Hence, when s → ∞ and n > m, the function will have also value of infinity, that means the transfer function has
poles at infinite s, and the multiplicity or order of such pole is n – m.

Again, when s → ∞ and n < m, the transfer function will have value of zero that means the transfer function has
zeros at infinite s, and the multiplicity or order of such zeros is m – n.

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COLLEGE OF COMPUTING AND ENGINEERING

Concept of Transfer Function

The transfer function is generally expressed in Laplace Transform and it is nothing but the relation between
input and output of a system. Let us consider a system consists of a series connected resistance (R) and
inductance (L) across a voltage source (V).

In this circuit, the current ‘i’ is the response due to applied voltage (V) as cause. Hence the voltage and current
of the circuit can be considered as input and output of the system respectively.
From the circuit, we get,

Now applying Laplace Transform, we get,

The transfer function of the system, G(s) = I(s)/V(s), the ratio of output to input.

1) Let us explain the concept of poles and zeros of transfer function through an example.

Solution

The zeros of the function are, -1, -2 and the poles of the functions are -3, -4, -5, -2 + 4j, -2 – 4j.

Here n = 2 and m = 5, as n < m and m – n = 3, the function will have 3 zeros at s → ∞. The

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 PAMANTASAN NG CABUYAO
COLLEGE OF COMPUTING AND ENGINEERING

poles and zeros are plotted in the figure below

2) Let us take another example of transfer function of control system

Solution

In the above transfer function, if the value of numerator is zero, then

These are the location of zeros of the function.

Similarly, in the above transfer function, if the value of denominator is zero, then

These are the location of poles of the function.

As the number of zeros should be equal to number of poles, the remaining three zeros are located at s →∞.

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COLLEGE OF COMPUTING AND ENGINEERING

V. REFERENCES: Hudson D. (2020), Python for Beginners, Larsen and Keller, Penn Plaza NY, USA

Tockey S. (2020), How to Engineer Software, Wiley IEEE Press, Piscataway, USA

Pomperada J. (2019), Python Programming for Beginners.Mindshapers INC,

Intramuros Manila, PH

VI. ASSESSMENT TASK:

Assessment task is posted as scheduled in our MS Team.

DISCLAIMER

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