Control systemsLesson 3 of 3 in the course Transfer functions and modelling

Feedback Loops: Control, Electronics, Biology, and Computing

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Feedback is a process in which some or all of a system’s output returns to affect its input. This lesson introduces feedback loops, explains why they require whole-system thinking, and traces key milestones in the history of feedback.

A feedback loop forms when an output is routed back to a system as an input. The returning information or signal can influence what the system does next, so the system effectively acts on itself.

All flashcards

What is feedback?
Information or output from a system is returned to influence its input or later behavior.
What is loop gain?
The combined gain around a feedback loop, relevant to whether a system is stable or may oscillate.
What is a disturbance in a control system?
An external influence that affects the plant, such as a hill changing a car’s speed.
What is the MAPE loop?
A software feedback cycle of Monitor, Analyze, Plan, and Execute.
How does the ice–albedo loop reinforce warming?
Melting exposes darker surfaces that absorb more heat, which can cause further melting.

Quiz questions

  1. When does an electronic device operate in a closed loop?Answer: When some output is returned to influence the device’s input.
  2. What distinguishes a level-sensitive latch from an edge-sensitive flip-flop?Answer: A latch can respond while enabled; a flip-flop changes state at a clock edge.
  3. Why is melting ice considered part of a positive climate feedback loop?Answer: Melting reveals darker surfaces that absorb heat and promote further melting.
  4. Which sequence correctly describes the MAPE feedback cycle in software?Answer: Monitor, Analyze, Plan, Execute.
  5. What can happen when corrective action in a feedback controller arrives too late?Answer: The system may overcorrect repeatedly, producing oscillation or hunting.

Based on the Wikipedia article Feedback, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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