Block Diagram Simplification

Block Diagram Reduction

Summing Point. Referring to the Figure below, a circle with a cross is the symbol that
indicates a summing operation. The plus or minus sign at each arrowhead indicates whether
that signal is to be ad or subtracted. It is important that the quantities being added or
subtracted have the same dimensions and same units
Branch Point. A branch point is a point from which the signal from a block goes
concurrently to other blocks or summing points.

Block Diagram of a Closed-Loop System. Figure shows an example of a block diagram of

a closed-loop system. The output 𝐶(𝑠) is fed back to the summing point, where it is
compared with the reference input 𝑅(𝑠). The output of the block, 𝐶(𝑠) in this case, is
obtained by multiplying the transfer function 𝐺(𝑠) by the input to the block, 𝐸(𝑠).

Standard Feed-Back control System

 When the output is fed back to the summing point for comparison with the input, it
is necessary to convert the form of the output signal to that of the input signal. For example,
in a temperature control system, the output signal is usually the controlled temperature.
The output signal, which has the dimension of temperature, must be converted to a
force or position or voltage before it can be compared with the input signal. This conversion
is accomplished by the feedback element whose transfer function is 𝐻(𝑠). (In most cases
the feedback element is a sensor that measures the output of the plant. The output of the
sensor is compared with the system input, and the actuating error signal is generated.). In
this example, the feedback signal: 𝐵 𝑠 = 𝐻(𝑠)𝐶(𝑠)
Open-Loop Transfer Function

The ratio of the feedback signal 𝐵(𝑠) to the actuating error signal 𝐸(𝑠). Is called open-loop transfer
function. That is:
𝐵(𝑠) 𝐶(𝑠)𝐻(𝑠) 𝐸(𝑠)𝐺(𝑠)𝐻(𝑠)
Open-loop transfer function = = = = 𝐺(𝑠)𝐻(𝑠)
𝐸(𝑠) 𝐸(𝑠) 𝐸(𝑠)

Feed forward Transfer Function

The ratio of the output 𝐶(𝑠) to the actuating error signal 𝐸(𝑠). is called feed forward transfer function. That is:
𝐶(𝑠) 𝐸(𝑠)𝐺(𝑠)
Feed forward transfer function = = 𝐺(𝑠)
𝐸(𝑠) 𝐸(𝑠)
• Closed- Loop Transfer Function

• For the closed loop system, the output 𝐶(𝑠) and input 𝑅(𝑠) are related as follows: since

• 𝐶 𝑠 = 𝐺(𝑠)𝐸(𝑠) ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ (1)

• But, 𝐸 𝑠 = 𝑅 𝑠 − 𝐵 𝑠 = 𝑅 𝑠 − 𝐻 𝑠 𝐶 𝑠 ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ ⋯ (2)

• Substituting equation (2) into equation (1) gives

• 𝐶 𝑠 = 𝐺 𝑠 [𝑅 𝑠 − 𝐻(𝑠) 𝐶(𝑠)]

𝐶(𝑠) 𝐺(𝑠)
• = , Closed-loop transfer function.
𝑅(𝑠) 1+𝐺(𝑠)𝐻(𝑠)
Block Diagram Reduction
A complicated block diagram involving many feedback loops can be simplified by a step-by-
step rearrangement. Simplification of the block diagram by rearrangements considerably
reduces the labor needed for subsequent mathematical analysis as shown in the table below:
 Tutorial Sheet No. 3

Q1. Simplify the block diagram shown in Figure below.

Solution:
Q2. : Simplify the block diagram shown in Figure. Obtain the transfer function related 𝐶(𝑠)
and 𝑅(𝑠)

Solution:
The block diagram can be modified to that shown in Figure (a).

Eliminating the minor feed forward path, we obtain Figure (b).

Simplified to Figure (c).

Q3. Simplify the block diagram shown in Figure. Obtain the transfer function related 𝐶(𝑠) and 𝑅 𝑠 .

Solution:
Q4. Consider the system shown in Figure (a). Simplify this diagram.

Solution:

By moving the summing point of the negative feedback loop containing 𝐻2 outside the positive Feedback loop
containing 𝐻1 , we obtain Figure (b).

Eliminating the positive feedback loop we have Figure (c).

The Elimination loop containing gives Figure (d).

Finally eliminating the feedback loop results in Figure (e)

Q5. Simplify the following block diagram:
H2

R -
G1 G2 G3 C
+

H1

Solution:

H2/G1

R
G1 G2 G3 C

H1
 H2/G1

-
R
G1.G2 G3 C
+

H1

H2/G1

R - 𝐺1 𝐺2
G3 C
1 − 𝐺1 𝐺2 𝐻1
 H2/G1

R 𝐺1 𝐺2 𝐺3
C
1 − 𝐺1 𝐺2 𝐻1

R 𝐺1 𝐺2 𝐺3
C
1 − 𝐺1 𝐺2 𝐺3 + 𝐺2 𝐺3 𝐻2

𝐺1 𝐺2 𝐺3
R 1 − 𝐺1 𝐺2 𝐺3 + 𝐺2 𝐺3 𝐻2 C
𝐺1 𝐺2 𝐺3
1+
1 − 𝐺1 𝐺2 𝐺3 + 𝐺2 𝐺3 𝐻2
Q6. Find the transfer function of the following block diagram:

G4
+
R C
G1 G2 G3
- - -
H2

H1

R C
G1 G4+G2G3
- - -
H2

H1*G2
R C
G1 G4+G2G3
- - -
H2

H1*G2 1/G4+G2G3

R 𝐺4 + 𝐺2 𝐺3 C
G1
1 + (𝐺4 +𝐺2 𝐺3 )𝐻2
- -

𝐺2 𝐻1
(𝐺4 + 𝐺2 𝐺3 )

R 𝐺1 (𝐺4 + 𝐺2 𝐺3 ) C
1 + 𝐺1 𝐺2 𝐻1 + (𝐺4 +𝐺2 𝐺3 )𝐻2
-
Q7. Simplify the following block diagram in a clear steps:

H4

R - C
G1 G2 G3 G4
-

H3

+ H2
-
H1
 H4

R - C
G1 G2 G3 G4
-

H3 1/G4

+ H2 1/G4
-
H1

R 𝐺2 𝐺3 𝐺4 C
G1
1 + 𝐺3 𝐺4 𝐻4
-

H3/G4

+
H2/G4
-
H1
 𝐺1 𝐺2 𝐺3 𝐺4
R C
1 + 𝐺2 𝐺3 𝐺4 𝐻4
𝐺 𝐺 𝐺 𝐺 𝐻
- 1 + 1 +1𝐺 2𝐺 3𝐺 4𝐻 ∗ 𝐺3
2 3 4 4 4

𝐻2 − 𝐺4 𝐻1
𝐺4
 Multiple Input System
Q8. Determine the output (C) due to the inputs (R) and (U) using superposition method:

G2
Solution:

Step 1: Put U = 0

𝐶𝑅 𝐺1 𝐺2 𝐺1 𝐺2
= ≫≫≫≫ 𝐶𝑅 = ∗𝑅
𝑅 1 + 𝐺1 𝐺2 1 + 𝐺1 𝐺2 The total Output (C) = CR + Cu

𝐺1 𝐺2 𝐺2
Step 2: Put R = 0 𝐶= ∗𝑅+ ∗𝑈
1 + 𝐺1 𝐺2 1 + 𝐺1 𝐺2

𝐶𝑢 𝐺2 𝐺2
= ≫≫≫≫ 𝐶𝑢 = ∗𝑈
𝑈 1 + 𝐺1 𝐺2 1 + 𝐺1 𝐺2
Q9. Determine the output (C) due to the inputs (R), (U1) and (U2) using superposition method:
U1

G2

H1 H2
Solution:
U2
Put U1 and U2 are equal to zero.
𝐺1 𝐺2
𝐶𝑅 = ∗𝑅
1 + 𝐺1 𝐺2 𝐻1 𝐻2 The total Output (C) = CR + CU1 + CU2
Put R and U1 are equal to zero.
𝑮𝟏 𝑮𝟐 𝑹 + 𝑮𝟐 𝑼𝟏 + 𝑮𝟏 𝑮𝟐 𝑯𝟏
𝐻1 𝐺1 𝐺2 𝑪=
𝐶𝑈2 = ∗ 𝑈2 𝟏 + 𝑮𝟏 𝑮𝟐 𝑯𝟏 𝑯𝟐
1 + 𝐻1 𝐺1 𝐺2 𝐻2
Put R and U2 are equal to zero.
𝐺2
𝐶𝑈1 = ∗ 𝑈1
1 + 𝐺2 𝐺1 𝐻1 𝐻2