Open-Loop and
Closed-Loop
Systems
Engr. Philip Caesar L. Ebit
1 Illustrate open-loop and closed-loop systems
Objectives 2
Identify advantages and disadvantages
between open-loop and closed-loop systems
3 Explain the effects of feedback control systems
Topic Outline
Open-loop System
Closed-loop System
Feedback and its effect
Summary
What is an Open-loop system?
• A system in which control action does not depend on output.
• Examples are: Automatic washing machine, bread toaster,
electric hand drier, automatic milk/coffee server, electric lift,
traffic signals, sprinkler, etc.
Reference Controlled
Input 𝑢(𝑡) Output
Controller Process
𝑟(𝑡) 𝑐(𝑡)
Advantages and disadvantages of open-loop system
• Advantages
• These systems are simple in construction and design.
• These systems are economic.
• These systems are easy from maintenance point of view.
• Usually, these systems are not much troubled with problems of stability.
• These systems are convenient to use when output is difficult to measure.
Advantages and disadvantages of open-loop system
• Disadvantages
• These systems are not accurate are reliable because their accuracy is
dependent on the accuracy of calibration.
• In these systems, inaccurate results are obtained parameter variations,
i.e., internal disturbances.
• Recalibration of the controller is required from time to time for
maintaining quality and accuracy.
What is a Closed-loop System?
• If controlling actions of a system are somehow dependent on
output or changes in output, system is called closed-loop
system.
What is a Closed-loop System?
• In the figure, 𝑟(𝑡) is the reference input, 𝑒 𝑡 is the error signal,
and 𝑐 𝑡 is the controlled output.
What is a Closed-loop System?
• For a positive feedback signal, we can write
𝑒 𝑡 =𝑟 𝑡 +𝑏 𝑡
What is a Closed-loop System?
• For a negative feedback signal, we can write
𝑒 𝑡 =𝑟 𝑡 −𝑏 𝑡
What is a Closed-loop System?
• This error 𝑒 𝑡 is applied to the controller. The controller gives the activating
signal 𝑢(𝑡) for the process. The controlled output will be driven by the
action of the controller in such manner that 𝑒 𝑡 will be reduced to zero.
What is a Closed-loop System?
• Practical examples of closed-loop systems are automatic iron, railway
reservation status display, display motor speed controlled by tacho-generator,
servo voltage stabilizer, water level controller, missile launching system,
temperature control system, voltage stabilizer, etc.
Example of Closed-loop Systems
Close-loop control of an automatic electric irons
• An automatic iron regulates the temperature of iron in such a
way that the temperature for a specific cloth remains in a
specified range.
Example of Closed-loop Systems
Close-loop control
of a voltage
stabilizer
• It is expected that the output voltage will be 230 V for a single-phase system.
When Input decreases, the output switch will be connected above 𝐴. On the other
hand, if the unput increases, the output switch will be connected below 𝐴.
Example of Closed-loop Systems
Control system for moving on a desired road
• If anybody moves away from a desired road with open eyes, it is an example of a
closed-loop system as shown. It will be an open-loop if eyes are closed.
Example of Closed-loop Systems
Closed-loop control of a sun seeker solar system
Example of Closed-loop Systems
Closed-loop control of a missile launcher
Advantages and disadvantages of closed-loop system
• Advantages
• In these systems accuracy is very high due to correction of any arising error.
• Since these systems sense environment changes as well as internal disturbances, the errors are modified.
• There is reduced effect of non-linearity in these systems.
• These systems have high bandwidth, i.e. high operating frequency zone.
• There are facilities of automation of these systems.
• Disadvantages
• These systems are complicated in design and, hence, costlier.
• These systems may become unstable.
Feedback and its effect
(a) Open loop
(b) Closed loop
• Feedback system is a system that maintains a relationship
between the output and some reference input by comparing
then and using the difference as a means of control.
• Feedback is used to reduce the error between reference and the
system output.
Feedback and its effect
(a) Open loop
(b) Closed loop
• The effects of feedback are as follows:
1
• Gain is reduced by a factor .
1+𝐺 𝑠 𝐻(𝑠)
• There is reduction of parameter variation by a factor 1 + 𝐺 𝑠 𝐻 𝑠 .
• There is improvement in sensitivity.
• There may be reduction of stability.
The disadvantages of reduction of gain and reduction of stability can be overcome by gain
amplification and good design, respectively.
Feedback and its effect
• Response of a
position control
system, showing
effect of high and
low controller gain
on the output
response
Servomechanism
• A servomechanism is a power amplifying feedback control
system in which the controlled variable or output is a
mechanical position or its time derivatives such as velocity or
acceleration.
Servomechanism of an automatic steering system
Summary
• Open-loop system
• A system in which control action does not depend on output.
• Closed-loop system
• The controlling actions of a system are somehow dependent on output or
changes in output.
• Feedback and its effect
• a system that maintains a relationship between the output and some
reference input by comparing then and using the difference as a means of
control. Feedback is used to reduce the error between reference and the
system output.
• The feedback has effects on performance characteristics;
• Stability, overall gain, noise (external disturbance)
Reference Controlled
Input 𝑢(𝑡) Output
Controller Process
𝑟(𝑡) 𝑐(𝑡)
Open-loop system
Closed-loop system
for your Patience.
