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Digital Control of Dynamic Systems-Third Edition

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 1
Introduction

A Perspective on Digital Control

The control of physical systems with a digital computer or mi-
crocontroller is becoming more and more common. Examples
of electromechanical servomechanisms exist in aircraft, automo-
biles, mass-transit vehicles, oil re…neries, and paper-making ma-
chines. Furthermore, many new digital control applications are
being stimulated by microprocessor technology including control
of various aspects of automobiles and household appliances. Among
the advantages of digital approaches for control are the increased
‡exibility of the control programs and the decision-making or logic
capability of digital systems, which can be combined with the dy-
namic control function to meet other system requirements. In
addition, one hardware design can be used with many di¤erent
software variations on a broad range of products, thus simplifying
and reducing the design time.

Chapter Overview
In Section 1.1, you will learn about what a digital control system
is, what the typical structure is, and what the basic elements
are. The key issues are discussed and an overview of where those
issues are discussed in the book is given. Section 1.2 discusses the
design approaches used for digital control systems and provides an
overview of where the di¤erent design approaches appear in the
book. Computer Aided Control System Design (CACSD) issues
and how the book’s authors have chosen to handle those issues
are discussed in Section 1.3.
 2 Chapter 1 Introduction

Figure 1.1
Block diagram of a
basic digital control
system

1.1 Problem De…nition

The digital controls studied in this book are for closed-loop (feed-
back) systems in which the dynamic response of the process being
controlled is a major consideration in the design. A typical struc-
ture of the elementary type of system that will occupy most of
our attention is sketched schematically in Fig. 1.1. This …gure will
help to de…ne our basic notation and to introduce several features
that distinguish digital controls from those implemented with ana-
log devices. The process to be controlled (sometimes referred to as
the plant) may be any of the physical processes mentioned above
whose satisfactory response requires control action.
By “satisfactory response” we mean that the plant output,
y(t), is to be forced to follow or track the reference input, r(t),
despite the presence of disturbance inputs to the plant [w(t) in
Fig. 1.1] and despite errors in the sensor [v(t) in Fig. 1.1]. It is
also essential that the tracking succeed even if the dynamics of the
plant should change somewhat during the operation. The process
of holding y(t) close to r(t), including the case where r 0, is
referred to generally as the process of regulation. A system that
has good regulation in the presence of disturbance signals is said
to have good disturbance rejection. A system that has good
regulation in the face of changes in the plant parameters is said to
have low sensitivity to these parameters. A system that has both
good disturbance rejection and low sensitivity we call robust.
The means by which robust regulation is to be accomplished
 1.1 Problem De nition 3

is through the control inputs to the plant [u(t) in Fig. 1.1]. It was
discovered long ago1 that a scheme of feedback wherein the plant
output is measured (or sensed) and compared directly with the
reference input has many advantages in the e¤ort to design robust
controls over systems that do not use such feedback. Much of our
e¤ort in later parts of this book will be devoted to illustrating
this discovery and demonstrating how to exploit the advantages
of feedback. However, the problem of control as discussed thus
far is in no way restricted to digital control. For that we must
consider the unique features of Fig. 1.1 introduced by the use of
a digital device to generate the control action.
We consider …rst the action of the analog-to-digital (A/D) con-
verter on a signal. This device acts on a physical variable, most
commonly an electrical voltage, and converts it into a stream of
numbers. In Fig. 1.1, the A/D converter acts on the sensor output
and supplies numbers to the digital computer. It is common for
the sensor output, y^, to be sampled and to have the error formed
in the computer. We need to know the times at which these num-
bers arrive if we are to analyze the dynamics of this system.
sample In this book we will make the assumption that all the numbers
period arrive with the same …xed period T , called the sample period.
In practice, digital control systems sometimes have varying sam-
ple periods and/or di¤erent periods in di¤erent feedback paths.
Usually there is a clock as part of the computer logic which sup-
plies a pulse or interrupt every T seconds, and the A/D converter
sends a number to the computer each time the interrupt arrives.
An alternative implementation is simply to access the A/D upon
completion of each cycle of the code execution, a scheme often
referred to as free running. A further alternative is to use some
other device to determine a sample, such as an encoder on an en-
gine crankshaft that supplies a pulse to trigger a computer cycle.
This scheme is referred to as event-based sampling. In the …rst
case the sample period is precisely …xed; in the second case the
sample period is essentially …xed by the length of the code, pro-
viding no logic branches are present that could vary the amount of
code executed; in the third case, the sample period varies with the
engine speed. Thus in Fig. 1.1 we identify the sequence of num-
bers into the computer as e^(kT ). We conclude from the periodic
sampling action of the A/D converter that some of the signals in
the digital control system, like e^(kT ), are variable only at discrete
times. We call these variables discrete signals to distinguish
them from variables like w and y, which change continuously in
time. A system having both discrete and continuous signals is
called a sampled-data system.
In addition to generating a discrete signal, however, the A/D
quantization converter also provides a quantized signal. By this we mean
1
See especially the book by Bode (1945).
 4 Chapter 1 Introduction

Figure 1.2
Plot of output versus
input characteristics
of the A/D converter

that the output of the A/D converter must be stored in digital

logic composed of a …nite number of digits. Most commonly, of
course, the logic is based on binary digits (i.e., bits) composed
of 0’s and 1’s, but the essential feature is that the representation
has a …nite number of digits. A common situation is that the
conversion of y to y^ is done so that y^ can be thought of as a
number with a …xed number of places of accuracy. If we plot the
values of y versus the resulting values of y^ we can obtain a plot like
that shown in Fig. 1.2. We would say that y^ has been truncated
to one decimal place, or that y^ is quantized with a q of 0.1, since
y^ changes only in …xed quanta of, in this case, 0.1 units. (We will
use q for quantum size, in general.) Note that quantization is a
nonlinear function. A signal that is both discrete and quantized
is called a digital signal. Not surprisingly, digital computers in
this book process digital signals.
In a real sense the problems of analysis and design of digi-
tal controls are concerned with taking account of the e¤ects of
the sampling period T and the quantization size q. If both T
and q are extremely small (sampling frequency 30 or more times
the system bandwidth with a 16-bit word size), digital signals are
nearly continuous, and continuous methods of analysis and de-
sign can be used. The resulting design could then be converted
to the digital format for implementation in a computer by using
emulation the simple methods described in Chapter 3 or the emulation
method described in Chapter 7. We will be interested in this text
in gaining an understanding of the e¤ects of all sample rates, fast
and slow, and the e¤ects of quantization for large and small word
sizes. Many systems are originally conceived with fast sample
rates, and the computer is speci…ed and frozen early in the design
cycle; however, as the designs evolve, more demands are placed
on the system, and the only way to accommodate the increased
computer load is to slow down the sample rate. Furthermore, for
cost-sensitive digital systems, the best design is the one with the
 1.2 Overview of Design Approach 5

lowest cost computer that will do the required job. That translates
into being the computer with the slowest speed and the smallest
word size. We will, however, treat the problems of varying T and
q separately. We …rst consider q to be zero and study discrete and
sampled-data (combined discrete and continuous) systems that
are linear. In Chapter 10 we will analyze in more detail the source
and the e¤ects of quantization, and we will discuss in Chapters 7
and 11 speci…c e¤ects of sample-rate selection.
Our approach to the design of digital controls is to assume a
background in continuous systems and to relate the comparable
digital problem to its continuous counterpart. We will develop
the essential results, from the beginning, in the domain of discrete
systems, but we will call upon previous experience in continuous-
system analysis and in design to give alternative viewpoints and
deeper understanding of the results. In order to make meaningful
these references to a background in continuous-system design, we
will review the concepts and de…ne our notation in Chapter 2.

1.2 Overview of Design Approach

An overview of the path we plan to take toward the design of dig-
ital controls will be useful before we begin the speci…c details. As
mentioned above, we place systems of interest in three categories
according to the nature of the signals present. These are discrete
systems, sampled-data systems, and digital systems.
In discrete systems all signals vary at discrete times only. We
will analyze these in Chapter 4 and develop the z-transform of
discrete signals and “pulse"-transfer functions for linear constant
discrete systems. We also develop discrete transfer functions of
continuous systems that are sampled, systems that are called
sampled-data systems. We develop the equations and give exam-
ples using both transform methods and state-space descriptions.
Having the discrete transfer functions, we consider the issue of the
dynamic response of discrete systems.
A sampled-data system has both discrete and continuous sig-
nals, and often it is important to be able to compute the con-
tinuous time response. For example, with a slow sampling rate,
there can be signi…cant ripple between sample instants. Such
situations are studied in Chapter 5. Here we are concerned with
the question of data extrapolation to convert discrete signals as
they might emerge from a digital computer into the continuous
signals necessary for providing the input to one of the plants de-
scribed above. This action typically occurs in conjunction with the
D/A conversion. In addition to data extrapolation, we consider
the analysis of sampled signals from the viewpoint of continuous
analysis. For this purpose we introduce impulse modulation as
a model of sampling, and we use Fourier analysis to give a clear
6 Chapter 1 Introduction

picture for the ambiguity that can arise between continuous and
aliasing discrete signals, also known as aliasing. The plain fact is that
more than one continuous signal can result in exactly the same
sample values. If a sinusoidal signal, y1 , at frequency f1 has the
same samples as a sinusoid y2 of a di¤ erent frequency f2 , y1 is
said to be an alias of y2 . A corollary of aliasing is the sampling
theorem, which speci…es the conditions necessary if this ambi-
guity is to be removed and only one continuous signal allowed to
correspond to a given set of samples.
As a special case of discrete systems and as the basis for the
emulation design method, we consider discrete equivalents to con-
tinuous systems, which is one aspect of the …eld of digital …lters.
digital …lters Digital …lters are discrete systems designed to process discrete
signals in such a fashion that the digital device (a digital com-
puter, for example) can be used to replace a continuous …lter. Our
treatment in Chapter 6 will concentrate on the use of discrete …l-
tering techniques to …nd discrete equivalents of continuous-control
compensator transfer functions. Again, both transform methods
and state-space methods are developed to help understanding and
computation of particular cases of interest.
Once we have developed the tools of analysis for discrete and
sampled systems we can begin the design of feedback controls.
modern Here we divide our techniques into two categories: transform2
control and state-space3 methods. In Chapter 7 we study the transform
methods of the root locus and the frequency response as they can
be used to design digital control systems. The use of state-space
techniques for design is introduced in Chapter 8. For purposes of
understanding the design method, we rely mainly on pole place-
ment, a scheme for forcing the closed-loop poles to be in desirable
locations. We discuss the selection of the desired pole locations
and point out the advantages of using the optimal control meth-
ods covered in Chapter 9. Chapter 8 includes control design using
feedback of all the “state variables”as well as methods for estimat-
ing the state variables that do not have sensors directly on them.
In Chapter 9 the topic of optimal control is introduced, with
emphasis on the steady-state solution for linear constant discrete
systems with quadratic loss functions. The results are a valuable
part of the designer’s repertoire and are the only techniques pre-
sented here suitable for handling multivariable designs. A study of
quantization e¤ects in Chapter 10 introduces the idea of random
signals in order to describe a method for treating the “average”
e¤ects of this important nonlinearity.
2
Named because they use the Laplace or Fourier transform to represent
systems.
3
The state space is an extension of the space of displacement and velocity
used in physics. Much that is called modern control theory uses di¤erential
equations in state-space form. We introduce this representation in Chapter 4
and use it extensively afterwards, especially in Chapters 8 and 9.
 1.3 Computer-Aided Design 7

The last four chapters cover more advanced topics that are
essential for most complete designs. The …rst of these topics is
sample rate selection, contained in Chapter 11. In our earlier
analysis we develop methods for examining the e¤ects of di¤erent
sample rates, but in this chapter we consider for the …rst time the
question of sample rate as a design parameter. In Chapter 12,
identi…cation we introduce system identi…cation. Here the matter of model
making is extended to the use of experimental data to verify and
correct a theoretical model or to supply a dynamic description
based only on input–output data. Only the most elementary of
the concepts in this enormous …eld can be covered, of course. We
present the method of least squares and some of the concepts of
maximum likelihood.
In Chapter 13, an introduction to the most important issues
and techniques for the analysis and design of nonlinear sampled-
data systems is given. The analysis methods treated are the de-
scribing function, equivalent linearization, and Lyapunov’s sec-
ond method of stability analysis. Design techniques described are
the use of inverse nonlinearity, optimal control (especially time-
optimal control), and adaptive control. Chapter 14 includes a case
study of a disk-drive design, and treatment of both implementa-
tion and manufacturing issues is discussed.

1.3 Computer-Aided Design

As with any engineering design method, design of control systems
requires many computations that are greatly facilitated by a good
library of well-documented computer programs. In designing prac-
tical digital control systems, and especially in iterating through
the methods many times to meet essential speci…cations, an in-
teractive computer-aided control system design (CACSD) package
with simple access to plotting graphics is crucial. Many commer-
cial control system CACSD packages are available which satisfy
R
Matlab that need, Matlab and Matrixx being two very popular ones.
Much of the discussion in the book assumes that a designer has
access to one of the CACSD products. Speci…c Matlab rou-
tines that can be used for performing calculations are indicated
throughout the text and in some cases the full Matlab command
Digital sequence is shown. All the graphical …gures were developed using
Control Matlab and the …les that created them are contained in the Dig-
Toolbox ital Control Toolbox which is available on the Web at no charge.
Files based on Matlab v4 with Control System Toolbox v3, as
well as …les based on Matlab v5 with Control System Toolbox
v4 are available at ftp.mathworks.com/pub/books/franklin/digital.
These …gure …les should be helpful in understanding the speci…cs
on how to do a calculation and are an important augmentation
to the book’s examples. The Matlab statements in the text are
8 Chapter 1 Introduction

valid for Matlab v5 and the Control System Toolbox v4. For
those with older versions of Matlab, Appendix F describes the
adjustments that need to be made.
CACSD support for a designer is universal; however, it is es-
sential that the designer is able to work out very simple problems
by hand in order to have some idea about the reasonableness of
the computer’s answers. Having the knowledge of doing the cal-
culations by hand is also critical for identifying trends that guide
the designer; the computer can identify problems but the designer
must make intelligent choices in guiding the re…nement of the
computer design.

1.4 Suggestions for Further Reading

Several histories of feedback control are readily available, includ-
ing a Scienti…c American Book (1955), and the study of Mayr
(1970). A good discussion of the historical developments of con-
trol is given by Dorf (1980) and by Fortmann and Hitz (1977),
and many other references are cited by these authors for the in-
terested reader. One of the earliest published studies of control
systems operating on discrete time data (sampled-data systems in
our terminology) is given by Hurewicz in Chapter 5 of the book
by James, Nichols, and Phillips (1947).
The ideas of tracking and robustness embody many elements
of the objectives of control system design. The concept of track-
ing contains the requirements of system stability, good transient
response, and good steady-state accuracy, all concepts fundamen-
tal to every control system. Robustness is a property essential to
good performance in practical designs because real parameters are
subject to change and because external, unwanted signals invade
every system. Discussion of performance speci…cations of control
systems is given in most books on introductory control, includ-
ing Franklin, Powell, and Emami-Naeini (1994). We will study
these matters in later chapters with particular reference to digital
control design.
To obtain a …rm understanding of dynamics, we suggest a com-
prehensive text by Cannon (1967). It is concerned with writing
the equations of motion of physical systems in a form suitable for
control studies.

1.5 Summary
In a digital control system, the analog electronics used for
compensation in a continuous system is replaced with a dig-
ital computer or microcontroller, an analog-to-digital (A/D)
converter, and a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter.
 1.6 Problems 9

Design of a digital control system can be accomplished by

transforming a continuous design, called emulation, or de-
signing the digital system directly. Either method can be
carried out using transform or state-space system descrip-
tion.

The design of a digital control system includes determining

the e¤ect of the sample rate and selecting a rate that is
su¢ ciently fast to meet all speci…cations.

Most designs today are carried out using computer-based

methods; however the designer needs to know the hand-
based methods in order to intelligently guide the computer
design as well as to have a sanity check on its results.

1.6 Problems
1.1 Suppose a radar search antenna at the San Francisco air-
port rotates at 6 rev/min, and data points corresponding
to the position of ‡ight 1081 are plotted on the controller’s
screen once per antenna revolution. Flight 1081 is traveling
directly toward the airport at 540 mi/hr. A feedback con-
trol system is established through the controller who gives
course corrections to the pilot. He wishes to do so each 9
mi of travel of the aircraft, and his instructions consist of
course headings in integral degree values.

(a) What is the sampling rate, in seconds, of the range

signal plotted on the radar screen?
(b) What is the sampling rate, in seconds, of the con-
troller’s instructions?
(c) Identify the following signals as continuous, discrete, or
digital:
i. the aircraft’s range from the airport,
ii. the range data as plotted on the radar screen,
iii. the controller’s instructions to the pilot,
iv. the pilot’s actions on the aircraft control surfaces.
(d) Is this a continuous, sampled-data, or digital control
system?
(e) Show that it is possible for the pilot of ‡ight 1081 to
‡y a zigzag course which would show up as a straight
line on the controller’s screen. What is the (lowest)
frequency of a sinusoidal zigzag course which will be
hidden from the controller’s radar?
 10 Chapter 1 Introduction

1.2 If a signal varies between 0 and 10 volts (called the dynamic

range) and it is required that the signal must be represented
in the digital computer to the nearest 5 millivolts, that is, if
the resolution must be 5 mv, determine how many bits the
analog-to-digital converter must have.

1.3 Describe …ve digital control systems that you are familiar
with. State what you think the advantages of the digital
implementation are over an analog implementation.

1.4 Historically, house heating system thermostats were a bimetal-

lic strip that would make or break the contact depending on
temperature. Today, most thermostats are digital. Describe
how you think they work and list some of their bene…ts.

1.5 Use Matlab (obtain a copy of the Student Edition or use

what’s available to you) and plot y vs x for x = 1 to 10
where y = x2 . Label each axis and put a title on it.

1.6 Use Matlab (obtain a copy of the Student Edition or use

what’s available to you) and make two plots (use Matlab’s
subplot) of y vs x for x = 1 to 2
p 10. Put a plot of y = x on
the top of the page and y = x on the bottom.

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