STEADY-STATE

ERRORS
ess
(Textbook Chap. 7)

1
 Definition of Steady-State Errors, ess
Ø Steady-state error is the difference between the input and the output for a
prescribed test input as t à ∞. In order to explain how these test signals are
used, let us assume a position control system, where the output position
follows the input commanded position.

Ø Step inputs represent constant position and thus are useful in determining
the ability of the control system to position itself with respect to a
stationary target.

Ø Ramp inputs represent constant-velocity inputs to a position control system

by their linearly increasing amplitude. These waveforms can be used to test
a system’s ability to follow a linearly increasing input or, equivalently, to
track a constant velocity target.

Ø Parabolas, whose second derivatives are constant, represent constant

acceleration inputs to position control systems and can be used to
represent accelerating targets.
2
Test Waveforms for Evaluating Steady-state Errors

3
Evaluating Steady-State Errors
Ø Output 1 has zero steady-state error, and
output 2 has a finite steady-state error, e2(∞)

Ø A similar example is shown where a ramp

input is compared with output 1, which has zero
steady-state error, and output 2, which has a
finite steady-state error, e2(∞) as measured
vertically between the input and output 2 after
the transients have died down.

Ø For the ramp input another possibility exists.

If the output’s slope is different from that of the
input, then output 3 results.

Ø Here the steady-state error is infinite as

measured vertically between the input and
output 3 after the transients have died down,
and t approaches infinity. 5
 Evaluating Steady-State Errors

Ø Since the error is the difference between the input and the
output of a system, we assume a closed-loop transfer function,
T(s), and form the error, E(s), by taking the difference between
the input and the output.

Ø Here we are interested in the steady-state, or final, value of e (t).

6
 Sources of Steady-State Error
Ø The steady state errors we study here are errors that arise from the
configuration of the system itself and the type of applied input.
Ø For example, look at the system below, where R(s) is the input, C(s) is the
output, and 𝐸 𝑠 = 𝑅 𝑠 − 𝐶 𝑠 is the error.

Ø Consider a step input. In the steady state, if c(t) equals r(t) , e(t) will be zero.
But with a pure gain, K, the error, e(t), cannot be zero if c(t) is to be finite
and nonzero.
Ø By virtue of the configuration of the system (a pure gain of K in the forward
path), an error must exist. If we call csteady-state the steady-state value of the
output and esteady-state the steady-state value of the error, then

7
 Sources of Steady-State Error

Ø If the forward-path gain is replaced by an integrator, there will

be zero error in the steady state for a step input.

Ø The reasoning is as follows:

Ø As c(t) increases, e(t) will decrease, since e(t) = r(t) – c(t).

Ø This decrease will continue until there is zero error, but

there will still be a value for c(t) since an integrator can
have a constant output without any input.

8
 Steady-State Error in Terms of T(s)
Ø To find E(s), the error between the input, R(s), and the output, C(s), we write

Ø Substituting, simplifying, and solving for E(s) yields

Ø Although the previous equation allows us to solve for e(t) at any time, t, we
are interested in the final value of the error. Applying the final value theorem,
which allows us to use the final value of e(t) without taking the inverse Laplace
transform of E(s), and then letting t approach infinity, we obtain

which yields

9
 Final Value Theorem
Ø The final value theorem is derived from the Laplace transform of the derivative.

Ø As

10
 Example
Find the steady-state error for the
system if

and the input is a unit step.

Solution:
From the problem statement, and .

Since T(s) is stable and, subsequently, E(s) does not have right–
half-plane poles or jω poles other than at the origin, we can apply
the final value theorem which gives .
11
 Steady-State Error in Terms of G(s)

Ø Consider the feedback control system

Ø Since the feedback, H(s), equals 1, the system has unity feedback.
Ø The implication is that E(s) is actually the error between the input, R(s), and
the output, C(s).
Ø Thus, if we solve for E(s), we will have an expression for the error. We will then
apply the final value theorem, to evaluate the steady-state error.
Ø Writing E(s), we obtain

Ø Finally, substituting the previous equation for C(s) into E(s) and solving for E(s)
yields

12
 Steady-State Error in Terms of G(s), cnt.
Ø We now apply the final value theorem.

Ø We now substitute several inputs for R(s) and then draw conclusions
about the relationships that exist between the open-loop system, G(s) and
the nature of the steady-state error.

Step Input:

Ø For a step input to a unity feedback system, the steady-state error will be
zero if there is at least one pure integration in the forward path. If there are
no integrations, then there will be a nonzero finite error.

13
 Steady-State Error in Terms of G(s), cnt.
Ramp Input:

To have zero steady-state error for a ramp input, there must be at least two
integrations in the forward path.

Parabolic Input:

In order to have zero steady-state error for a parabolic input, there must be at
least three integrations in the forward path.

14
 Example
Ø Find the steady-state errors for inputs of 5u(t), 5tu(t), and 5t2u(t) to the
system shown in

where the function u(t) is the unit step.

Ø For the input 5u(t), whose Laplace transform is , the steady-state error
will be

Ø For the input 5tu(t), whose Laplace transform is , the steady-state

error will be

Ø For the input 5t2u(t), whose Laplace transform is , the steady-state

error will be
15
 Example
Ø Find the steady-state errors for inputs of 5u(t), 5tu(t), and 5t2u(t) to the
system shown in

where the function u(t) is the unit step.

Ø For the input 5u(t), whose Laplace transform is , the steady-state error
will be

Ø For the input 5tu(t), whose Laplace transform is , the steady-state

error will be

Ø For the input 5t2u(t), whose Laplace transform is , the steady-state

error will be
16
 Static Error Constants
Ø The three terms in the denominator that are taken to the limit determine the
steady-state error.

Ø We call these limits static error constants. Individually, their names are
position constant, Kp , where

velocity constant, Kv , where

acceleration constant, Ka, where

17
 Example

Evaluate the static error constants and find the expected error for the
standard step, ramp, and parabolic inputs. 18
 Example
For the system (a) For the system (b) For the system (c)

19
 System Type
Ø The values of the static error constants, again, depend upon the form of G(s),
especially the number of pure integrations in the forward path.

Ø Since steady-state errors are dependent upon the number of integrations in the
forward path, we give a name to this system attribute.

Ø We define system type to be the value of n in the denominator or, equivalently,

the number of pure integrations in the forward path. Therefore, a system with
n = 0 is a Type 0 system. If n = 1 or n = 2, the corresponding system is a Type 1
or Type 2 system, respectively.

20
 Steady-State Errors due to Disturbances
• Feedback control systems are used to compensate for disturbances or
unwanted inputs that enter a system.
• The advantage of using feedback is that regardless of these disturbances, the
system can be designed to follow the input with small or zero error.
• The figure shows a feedback control system with a disturbance, D(s),
between the controller and the plant.

• We now re-derive the expression for steady-state error with the disturbance
included. The transform of the output is given by,

21
Steady-State Errors due to Disturbances…

22
Steady-State Errors due to Disturbances…

23
Steady-State Errors due to Disturbances…

24
Steady-State Errors due to Disturbances…

25
 Steady-State Errors due to Disturbances…
Problem: Find the steady-state error component due to a step disturbance for
the system given below.

26
 Steady-State Errors due to Disturbances…
Problem: Evaluate the steady-state error component due to a step disturbance
for the system given below.

27
 Steady-State Error for
Nonunity Feedback Systems
• Control systems often do not have unity feedback because of the
compensation used to improve performance or because of the physical
model for the system. The feedback path can be a pure gain other than
unity or have some dynamic representation.

28
Steady-State
Error for
Nonunity
Feedback
Systems

29
 Steady-State Error for
Nonunity Feedback Systems
Problem: For the system shown below, find the system type, the
appropriate error constant associated with the system type, and
the steady-state error for a unit step input. Assume input and
output units are the same.

30
 Steady-State Error for
Nonunity Feedback Systems
After determining that the system is indeed stable, one may impulsively declare
the system to be Type 1. This may not be the case, since there is a nonunity
feedback element, and the plant’s actuating signal is not the difference between
the input and the output.
The first step in solving the problem is to convert the system into an equivalent
unity feedback system. Using the equivalent forward transfer function along with

Thus, the system is Type 0, since there are no pure integrations. The appropriate
static error constant is then Kp, whose value is

31
 Steady-State Error for
Nonunity Feedback Systems

The steady-state error is

The negative value for steady-state error implies that the

output step is larger than the input step.

32