Controllers
Controllers
From the equation, we can conclude that the proportional controller amplifies the error
signal by an amount Kp. Also the introduction of the controller on the system increases
the loop gain by an amount Kp. The increase in loop gain improves the steady state
tracking accuracy, disturbance signal rejection and the relative stability and also makes
the system less sensitive to parameter variations. But increasing the gain to very large
values mau lead to instability of the system. The drawback in P-controller is that it leads
to a constant steady state error.
Example of Electronic P-controller
The proportion controller can be realized by an amplifier with adjustable gain.
Either the non- inverting operational amplifier or the inverting operational amplifier
followed by sign changer will work as a proportional controller. The op-amp proportional
controller is shown in the figures 2.8.2.
By deriving the transfer function of the controller shown in figures and comparing
with the transfer function of P-controller defined by equation, it can be shown that they
work as P-controllers.
Analysis of P-controller
In figure 2.8.2, the input e(t) is applied to positive input. By symmetry of op-amp the
voltage of negative input is also e(t). Also, we assume an ideal op-amp so that input
current is zero. Based on the above assumptions the equivalent circuit of the controller is
shown in figure 2.8.3.
𝑈(𝑠) 𝑅1 + 𝑅2
=
𝐸(𝑠) 𝑅1
The equation is the transfer function of op-amp P-controller. On comparing, we get,
𝑅1 + 𝑅2
𝐾𝑝 =
𝑅1
Therefore, by adjusting the values of R1 and R2 the value of gain, Kp can be varied.
Analysis of P-controller
The assumption made in op-amp circuit analysis are,
1. The voltages at both inputs are equal
2. The input current is zero
Based on the above assumptions, the equivalent circuit of op-amp amplifier and sign
changer are shown in figure 2.8.4.
𝑢(𝑡) ∝ ∫ 𝑒(𝑡)𝑑𝑡
𝑢(𝑡) = 𝐾𝑖 ∫ 𝑒(𝑡)𝑑𝑡
The integral controller removes or reduces the steady error without the need for manual
reset. Hence the I-controller is sometimes called automatic reset. The drawback in
integral controller is that it may lead to oscillatory response of increasing or decreasing
amplitude which is undesirable and the system may become unstable.
Example of electronic I-controller
The integral controller can be realized by an integrator using op-amp followed by
a sign changer as shown in figure 2.8.6.
By deriving the transfer function of the controller shown in figure and comparing
with the transfer function of I-controller defined by equation.
Analysis of I-controller
The assumptions made in op-amp circuit analysis are,
1. The voltages of both inputs are equal
2. The input current is zero.
Based on the above assumptions, the equivalent circuit of op-amp amplifier and sign
changer are shown in figure 2.8.7.
𝐾𝑝
𝑢(𝑡) = 𝐾𝑝 𝑒(𝑡) + ∫ 𝑒(𝑡)𝑑𝑡
𝑇𝑖
On taking Laplace transform of equation with zero initial conditions, we get,
𝑈(𝑠) 1
= 𝐾𝑝 (1 + )
𝐸(𝑠) 𝑇𝑖 𝑠
The equation gives the output of the PI-controller for the input E(s) and it is the transfer
function of PI-controller. The block diagram of PI-controller is shown in figure 2.8.8.
By deriving the transfer function of the controller shown in figure and comparing with
the transfer function of PI-controller defined by equation, it can be proved that the circuit
shown in figure will work as PI-controller.
Analysis of PI-controller
The assumptions made in op-amp circuit analysis are,
1. The voltages of both inputs are equal
2. The input current is zero.
Based on the above assumptions, the equivalent circuit of op-amp amplifier and sign
changer are shown in figure 2.8.10.
The derivative control acts on a rate of change of error and not on the actual error signal.
The derivative control action is effective only during transient periods and so it does not
produce corrective measures for any constant error. Hence the derivative controller is
never used alone, but it is employed in association with proportional and integral
controllers. The derivative controller does not affect the steady-state error directly but
anticipates the error, initiates an early corrective action and tends to increase the stability
of the system. While derivative control action has an advantage of being anticipatory it
has the disadvantage that it amplifies noise signals and may cause a saturation effect in
the actuator. The derivative control action is adjusting by varying the derivative time. The
change in the value of Kp affects both the proportional and derivative parts of control
action. The derivative control is also called rate control.
By deriving the transfer function of the controller shown in figure and comparing with
the transfer function of PD-controller defined by equation, it can be proved that the circuit
shown in figure will work as PD-controller.
Analysis of PD-controller
The assumptions made in op-amp circuit analysis are,
1. The voltages of both inputs are equal
2. The input current is zero.
Based on the above assumptions, the equivalent circuit of op-amp amplifier and sign
changer are shown in figure 2.8.13.
The combination of proportional control action, integral control action and derivative
control action is called PID-control action. This combined action has the advantages of
the each of the three individual control actions. The proportional controller stabilizes the
gain but produces a steady state error. The integral controller reduces or eliminates the
steady state error. The derivative controller reduces the rate of change of error.
Example of Electronic PID-controller
The PID controller can be realized by an op-amp amplifier with integral and
derivative action followed by a sign changer as shown in figure 2.8.15.
By deriving the transfer function of the controller shown in figure and comparing with
the transfer function of PID-controller defined by equation, it can be proved that the
circuit shown in figure will work as PID-controller.
Analysis of PID-controller
The assumptions made in op-amp circuit analysis are,
3. The voltages of both inputs are equal
4. The input current is zero.
Based on the above assumptions, the equivalent circuit of op-amp amplifier and sign
changer are shown in figure 2.8.16.
Derivative time, 𝑇𝑑 = 𝑅1 𝐶1
Integral time, 𝑇𝑖 = 𝑅2𝐶2
𝑅1 𝐶1 +𝑅2 𝐶2
Also, =1
𝑅2 𝐶2
By varying the values of R1 and R2, the value of Kp , Td and Ti are adjusted.