TRANSFER FUNCTION:-

In

control

theory

transfer

functions

are

commonly used to characterize the input-output relationships of components or systems that can be described by linear, time-invariant, differential equations. The transfer function of a linear, time-invariant, differential equation system is defined as the ratio of the Laplace transform of the output (response function) to the Laplace transform of the input (driving function) under the assumption that all initial conditions are zero.

Comments

on

transfer

function.

The

applicability is limited to linear, time-invariant, differential equation systems, used in the analysis and design of such systems. 1. The transfer function of a system is a mathematical model in that it is an operational method of expressing the differential equation that relates the output variable to the input variable. 2. The transfer function is a property of a system itself, independent of the magnitude and nature of the input or driving function.

3. The transfer function includes the units necessary to relate the input to the output; however, it does not provide any information concerning the physical structure of the system. (The transfer functions of many physically different systems can be identical.) 4. If the transfer function of a system is known, the output or response can be studied for various forms of inputs with a view toward understanding the nature of the system. 5. If the transfer-function of a system in unknown, it may be established experimentally by introducing known inputs and studying the output of the system.

BLOCK-DIAGRAMS: In control engineering, functions performed by each component is shown by a diagram called the Block diagram. Block diagram of a system is a pictorial representation of the functions performed by each component and of the flow of signals. A block diagram has the advantage of indicating more realistically the signal flows of the actual system. All system variables are linked to each other through functional blocks. The functional block or block is a symbol for the mathematical
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operation on the input signal to the block that produces the output. The transfer functions of the components are usually entered in the corresponding blocks, which are connected by arrows to indicate the direction of the flow of signals. A block diagram of a control system explicitly shows a unilateral property. The advantages of the block diagram representation of a system that it is easy to form the overall block diagram for the entire system by merely connecting the blocks of the components according to the signal flow and that it is possible to evaluate the contribution of each component to the overall performance of the system.
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Figure.1 a. Transfer function; b. equivalent block diagram showing phase-variables. Note: y(t) = c(t)

block

diagram

contains

information

concerning dynamic behavior, but it does not include any information on the physical construction of the system. Many dissimilar and unrelated systems can be represented by the same block diagram. The block diagram of a given system is not unique. A number of different block diagrams can be drawn for a system, depending on the point of view of the analysis. Multiple subsystems are represented in two ways; as block diagrams and as signal-flow graphs.

Although neither representation is limited to a particular analysis and design technique, block diagrams are usually used for frequency-domain analysis and design, and signal-flow graphs for state-space analysis. Signal-flow graphs represent transfer functions as lines, and signals as small circular nodes. Summing is implicit. Why it is convenient to use signal-flow graphs for state-space analysis and design, consider Fig.1. A graphical representation of a system's transfer function is as simple as Fig.1(a). A graphical representation of a system in state space requires representation of each state variable as shown in Fig.1(b).
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A single-block transfer function requires seven blocks and a summing junction to show the state variables explicitly. Thus, signal-flow graphs have advantages over block diagrams. They can be drawn more quickly, they are more compact, and they emphasize the state variables. Develop techniques to reduce each

representation to a single transfer function. Block diagram algebra will be used to reduce block diagrams and Mason's rule to reduce signal-flow graphs. Again, either method can be used for frequencydomain or state-space analysis and design.
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Summing Point. Referring to Figure 5.2(c) a circle with a cross is the symbol that indicates a summing operation. The plus or minus sign at

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each arrowhead indicates whether that signal is to be added or subtracted. It is important that the quantities being added or subtracted have the same dimensions and the 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 Figure 5.2(d) Figure 5.3(a) shows an example of cascaded subsystems. Intermediate signal values are shown at the output of each subsystem. Each signal is derived from the product of I/P & T.F.

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