Basic Elements of Signal Flow Graph

Last Updated : 27 Feb, 2024

Signal Flow Graphs are a crucial component of control systems. Furthermore,

the control system is one of the most significant subjects in Electronics. It is
primarily covered in the sixth semester of the B.Tech syllabus, though
individual universities may alter it based on their syllabus hierarchy. To
understand Signal Flow Graph let's understand the Control System first, then
we will dive into the main topic. When we put some inputs into a particular
electronic device, it computes the signal or data and results in an output, this is
what a Control System does.

A similar process is used with the Signal Flow Graph. Engineers can quickly
compute and comprehend how the system operates by inserting the signal at
one end and adding electronic devices in between to compute data using
algebraic equations.

Table of Content
What is a Signal Flow Graph?
Basic Elements of Signal Flow Graph
How to build Signal Flow Graph?
Mason Gain Formula with Example
Signal Flow Graph from Block Diagram
Applications of SFG
Advantages and Disadvantages of SFG

What is a Signal Flow Graph?

A Signal Flow Graph (SFG) is a directed edge and node-based visual depiction
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 while the signal flow between them is shown by edges. SFGs are widely used
in control theory because they provide an easy-to-understand representation
of intricate system relationships, which helps with analysis and optimization.

Before we begin, let's understand the basic elements of a Signal Flow Graph,
we will see an actual Signal Flow Graph.

Basic Elements of Signal Flow Graph

Nodes and branches are the two basic elements of a Signal Flow Graph.

Node

It is a point that represents a variable or a signal. There are three types of

nodes:

Input Node
Output Node
Mixed Node.

To identify a node, in Signal Flow Graph it mainly represents with circles, dots,
you can find it in below images.

Input Node: It is a node where we provide only inputs and it has only
outgoing branches. To identify the input node, always follow the arrow, if it
enters the node then it is input node.

Output Node: It is a node that has only incoming branches. To identify the
output node, always follow the arrow, if it goes out from node then it is
output node.

Mixed Node: It is a node that has both incoming and outgoing branches. To
identify the mixed node, always follow the arrow, if it has both incoming and
outgoing arrow then it is mixed node.

Branch
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 It is a line segment which joins two nodes. Since we use this in electronics
equipment, which likewise has gain in both positive and negative, also it has
directions, we must provide them the branch in order to finish our signal flow
graph. Let's use a little diagram to ensure we grasp this properly.

Demo Signal Flow Graph

Here we can see the black dots (y1, y2, y3, y4) they are the nodes of the Signal
flow graph, and the lines are the branches. As we see that these branches has
some directions that is defined by the arrow symbols. So, we can say a,b,c are
the positive gain branches and the d is negative gain branch that is why it is in
negative sign.

Characteristics of SFG

1. Nodes
2. Branches or Edges
3. Forward Paths
4. Single Loops
5. Non-touching Loops
6. Mason Gain Formula

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 How to build Signal Flow Graph?
Let's start building of an new signal flow graph with an algebraic equation, it
will help us to understand the complex graphs and how electronics engineers
use this in Control System.

Things to remember: While calculating the result we use the node value (like:
y1, y2, y3...) and multiply that with the gain (a, b, c). The value of the node is
the resultant value that is obtained by adding both values of a branch to
another node.

Here "y1, y2, y3, y4, y5, y6" are the nodes, and "a, b, c, d, e, f, g" are the gains
in the Signal Flow Graph respectively.

Equations:

y2 = ay1, y3 = y2b + y5g, y4 = y3c + y2f, y5 = y4d and y6 = y5e

Here we will create the Signal Flow Graph step by step, you can also check the
given image below.

Step1: Create the first loop, and required branches with the y2 and y4
equation.

Step2: Create the second loop, and don't forget the directions with the y3
equation, we have to be careful with the directions. Give directions
according to the equations.

Step3: Create the main branch with directions, and connect all the nodes
with branches.

Step4: Now we have to combine the whole structure and we will get the
whole Signal Flow Graph, with proper notations and directions.

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 Signal Flow Graph from Equations

Mason Gain Formula with Example

The Mason's Gain Formula is a mathematical tool used in control system
engineering to calculate the overall transfer function of a signal flow graph.

Basic Elements of Signal Flow Graph related to Mason Gain Formula

1. Nodes, which we already discussed.

2. Directed edges, as you can see the above image with the directed arrows.
3. Forward paths, which are started and ended on different nodes.
4. Loops, which are the close paths in SFG, stared and ended in same node,
but passed throw other nodes as well. A SFG can contain many loops.
5. Non-touching loops: If there are two or more loops in a single SFG, then
they do not touch each other.

∑N
i=1 Pi Δi
Mason Gain Formula: C(s)
R(s)
​ = Δ
​ ​ ​

where,
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 N: total number of forward paths

Pi : gain of the ith forward path

∆: determinant of the graph

∆i : path-factor for the ith path

The determinant of the graph (∆) and the path-factor for the ith path (∆i) are
defined as follows:

∆i : 1 - (loop gain which does not touch the forward path)

∆: 1 - Σ(all individual loop gains) + Σ(gain product of all possible

combinations of two non-touching loops) - Σ(gain product of all possible
combinations of three non-touching loops) + ....

In this formula the loops of the Signal Flow Graph is very important. In the next
example we will see how can we get a transfer function from this formula.

Transfer function T, R is input, C is output, G are the gains and H are the
feedbacks of a transfer function.

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 Signal Flow Graph

Here, two paths are available. The transfer function will be:
Trending Now DSA Web Tech Foundational Courses Data Science Practice Problem Python Machine Le
C(s) P1 Δ1 +P2 Δ2
T = R(s)
​
= Δ
​ ​ ​ ​

C G1G2G4+G1G3G4
R
​ = 1−G1G4H1+G1G2G4H2+G1G3G4H2
​

Output: C(s)
R(s)
​
=
G1G4(G2+G3)
1−G1G4H1+G1G2G4H2+G1G3G4H2
​

Signal Flow Graph from Block Diagram

In the field of electronics engineering, block diagrams are used to simplify
intricate circuits. The block diagram shows numerous electronic components as
well as input and output. As a result, we must carefully comprehend this
before drawing the Signal Flow Graph. Prior to that, we must comprehend the
jargon.
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 The circle with a cross is called summing point(S), and the branches meet at
the dot point is called take-off point.

The "G" inside a box called the gain, there can be many gain blocks in a
single block diagram.

Since electronics components also provide feedback, "H" inside the box is
referred to as the feedback.

In the image below we can see the block diagram to Signal Flow Graph:

Block Diagram to Signal Flow Graph

R(s) and C(s) is the input and output respectively.

As you can see that in the block diagram there are two summing point so we
have mentioned them with S1,S2 in the Signal Flow Graph, and with t1,t2,t3
we mentioned the take-off points.

As, G1 and G2 are in a loop, so we do the same for the Signal Flow Graph also.
And feedbacks are in negative so we mentioned it with -H1 and -H2.

So, this is how we made the Signal Flow Graph from Block diagram.

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 Applications of SFG
Control System analysis is very much dependent on Signal Flow Graph,
because it really helps to calculate and create transfer functions.

In communication systems, SFGs are employed to model and analyze signal

paths, helping engineers to understand the flow of information through a
system.

Signal Flow Graphs are applied to analyze electrical networks, representing

voltages and currents.

Advantages and Disadvantages of SFG

There are some list of Advantages and Disadvantages of SFG given below :

Advantages

It provides a clear view of systems flow of information and system

dynamics, which helps engineers to easily understands the complex circuits.

Signal Flow Graphs are useful for examining a system's feedback loops. The
influence of feedback on the performance and stability of a system can be
recognized and assessed by engineers.

The transfer function of a system can be systematically derived using the

Mason's Gain Formula related to SFGs. This is especially helpful for
designing control systems.

Disadvantages

It provides clear picture of complex systems, but sometimes if there are

large systems and to many interactions, then handling large numbers of
nodes and branches become really hard.

Signal
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nonlinear time-varying
 systems.

Signal flow graphs, particularly for systems with delays, may not explicitly
reflect causalities in the time domain, despite their ability to depict cause-
and-effect linkages.

Conclusion
Signal Flow Graphs offers valuable features with it, as engineers can easily
understand the complex circuits, with proper calculations of gains and loops
with it. With Mason Gain Formula it becomes more effective as it helps
engineers to get the transfer function from the Signal Flow Graph. Also, it
helps to breakdown a complex block diagrams and calculate its components
values easily. But as systems get more complex, SFGs become less effective,
and they might not be the best option for nonlinear or time-varying systems.
Engineers should use them sparingly depending on the particular needs of
their study, as the usefulness of each modelling tool depends on the features
of the system being studied.

FAQs on Basic Elements of Signal Flow Graph

Q1. What are the key elements in a Signal Flow Graph?

Nodes represent system variables or components, and directed branches

(arrows) represent signal paths or connections between nodes. Each
branch is associated with a transfer function. These branches also
represents the loops in the SFG.

Q2. Can an SFG have both touching and non-touching loops?

Yes, an SGF has both touching and non-touching loops since they each
have a unique meaning when it comes to SGF.
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 Q3. Are Signal Flow Graphs suitable for nonlinear systems?

SFG's are most useful for linear time-invariant (LTI) systems. They might
not be the best choice when representing nonlinear systems or systems
with time-varying properties.

Q4. How to define a Transfer Function?

The gain between input R(s) and output C(s) in a linear system is known
as Transfer Function.

T(Transfer Function) = C(s)/R(s)

Q5. Can Signal Flow Graphs be used for large-scale systems?

Signal Flow Graphs in large-scale systems did not give accurate results
as the SFG gets more complex and with leads to miscalculations.

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Conversion of Block Diagrams into
Signal Flow Graphs

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