Control Systems - GATE EE 2015 Solved Paper


Question-1

For the system governed by the set of equations: \[\frac{dx_1}{dt} = 2x_1 + x_2 + u\] \[\frac{dx_2}{dt} = -2x_1 + u\] \[y = 3x_1\] the transfer function \(Y(s)/U(s)\) is given by

  1. \(\dfrac{3(s+1)}{s^2-2s+2}\)

  2. \(\dfrac{3(2s+1)}{s^2-2s+1}\)

  3. \(\dfrac{(s+1)}{s^2-2s+2}\)

  4. \(\dfrac{3(2s+1)}{s^2-2s+2}\)

Topic: Mathematical Models of Physical Systems

Solution

Ans. A

State-space representation: \[A = \begin{bmatrix}2 & 1 \\ -2 & 0\end{bmatrix}, \quad B = \begin{bmatrix}1 \\ 1\end{bmatrix}, \quad C = \begin{bmatrix}3 & 0\end{bmatrix}, \quad D = 0\]

Compute \((sI - A)\): \[sI - A = \begin{bmatrix}s-2 & -1 \\ 2 & s\end{bmatrix}\] \[\det(sI - A) = (s-2)s - (-1)(2) = s^2 - 2s + 2\] \[(sI - A)^{-1} = \frac{1}{s^2 - 2s + 2} \begin{bmatrix}s & 1 \\ -2 & s-2\end{bmatrix}\]

Transfer function: \[G(s) = C(sI - A)^{-1}B = \frac{1}{s^2 - 2s + 2} \begin{bmatrix}3 & 0\end{bmatrix} \begin{bmatrix}s & 1 \\ -2 & s-2\end{bmatrix} \begin{bmatrix}1 \\ 1\end{bmatrix}\] \[= \frac{1}{s^2 - 2s + 2} \begin{bmatrix}3 & 0\end{bmatrix} \begin{bmatrix}s+1 \\ s-4\end{bmatrix} = \frac{3(s+1)}{s^2 - 2s + 2}\]


Question-2

An open loop transfer function \(G(s)\) of a system is \[G(s) = \frac{K}{s(s+1)(s+2)}\] For a unity feedback system, the breakaway point of the root loci on the real axis occurs at

  1. \(-0.42\)

  2. \(-1.58\)

  3. \(-0.42\) and \(-1.58\)

  4. none of the above

Topic: Root Locus Techniques

Solution

Ans. A

Characteristic equation: \[1 + G(s) = 0 \Rightarrow 1 + \frac{K}{s(s+1)(s+2)} = 0\] \[K = -s(s+1)(s+2) = -s(s^2 + 3s + 2) = -s^3 - 3s^2 - 2s\]

For breakaway points: \[\frac{dK}{ds} = 0 \Rightarrow -3s^2 - 6s - 2 = 0\] \[3s^2 + 6s + 2 = 0 \Rightarrow s = \frac{-6 \pm \sqrt{36 - 24}}{6} = \frac{-6 \pm \sqrt{12}}{6} = \frac{-6 \pm 2\sqrt{3}}{6}\] \[s = -1 \pm \frac{\sqrt{3}}{3} \approx -1 \pm 0.577\] \[s \approx -0.423, -1.577\]

Only \(s = -0.423\) lies on the real axis root locus between poles at \(0\) and \(-1\).

Therefore, breakaway point is at \(-0.42\).


Question-3

The unit step response of a system with the transfer function \(G(s) = \dfrac{1-2s}{1+s}\) is given by which one of the following waveforms?

image

Topic: Time Response Analysis

Solution

Ans. A

Given: \(G(s) = \dfrac{1-2s}{1+s}\)

For unit step input \(R(s) = \dfrac{1}{s}\): \[C(s) = G(s)R(s) = \frac{1-2s}{s(s+1)}\]

Using partial fractions: \[\frac{1-2s}{s(s+1)} = \frac{A}{s} + \frac{B}{s+1}\] \[1-2s = A(s+1) + Bs = (A+B)s + A\]

Comparing coefficients: \[A + B = -2, \quad A = 1 \Rightarrow B = -3\] \[C(s) = \frac{1}{s} - \frac{3}{s+1}\]

Taking inverse Laplace transform: \[c(t) = 1 - 3e^{-t} \quad \text{for } t \geq 0\]

The response starts at \(1 - 3 = -2\) and approaches \(1\) as \(t \to \infty\).


Question-4

Nyquist plots of two functions \(G_1(s)\) and \(G_2(s)\) are shown in figure.

image

Nyquist plot of the product of \(G_1(s)\) and \(G_2(s)\) is

image

Topic: Frequency Response Analysis

Solution

Ans. B

From the Nyquist plots:

Product: \[G_1(s)G_2(s) = \frac{1}{s} \cdot s = 1\]

The Nyquist plot of \(G(s) = 1\) is a single point at \((1, 0)\) on the real axis.

Therefore, the correct Nyquist plot is option B.


Question-5

An open loop control system results in a response of \(e^{-2t}(\sin 5t + \cos 5t)\) for a unit impulse input. The DC gain of the control system is ______.

Topic: Time Response Analysis

Solution

Ans. 0.241

Impulse response: \(h(t) = e^{-2t}(\sin 5t + \cos 5t)\)

Transfer function = Laplace transform of impulse response: \[H(s) = \mathcal{L}\{e^{-2t}\sin 5t\} + \mathcal{L}\{e^{-2t}\cos 5t\}\] \[= \frac{5}{(s+2)^2 + 25} + \frac{s+2}{(s+2)^2 + 25} = \frac{s+7}{(s+2)^2 + 25}\]

DC gain = \(H(0)\): \[H(0) = \frac{0+7}{(0+2)^2 + 25} = \frac{7}{4 + 25} = \frac{7}{29} \approx 0.241\]

Therefore, the DC gain is 0.241.


Question-6

The open loop poles of a third order unity feedback system are at 0, -1, -2. Let the frequency corresponding to the point where the root locus of the system transits to unstable region be \(K\). Now suppose we introduce a zero in the open loop transfer function at -3, while keeping all the earlier open loop poles intact. Which one of the following is TRUE about the point where the root locus of the modified system transits to unstable region?

  1. It corresponds to a frequency greater than \(K\)

  2. It corresponds to a frequency less than \(K\)

  3. It corresponds to a frequency \(K\)

  4. Root locus of modified system never transits to unstable region

Topic: Root Locus Techniques

Solution

Ans. D

Original system: \[G(s) = \frac{K}{s(s+1)(s+2)}, \quad P = 3, \quad Z = 0\] Asymptotes angles: \(60^\circ, 180^\circ, 300^\circ\) Centroid: \(\dfrac{0-1-2}{3} = -1\)

Modified system: \[G(s) = \frac{K(s+3)}{s(s+1)(s+2)}, \quad P = 3, \quad Z = 1\] Asymptotes angles: \(90^\circ, 270^\circ\) Centroid: \(\dfrac{0-1-2-(-3)}{2} = 0\)

With the introduction of a zero at \(-3\), the root locus is pulled to the left. The asymptotes are at \(\pm 90^\circ\) with centroid at origin, so the root locus remains entirely in the left half plane.

Therefore, the modified system never becomes unstable.


Question-7

Find the transfer function \(\dfrac{Y(s)}{X(s)}\) of the system given below.

image
  1. \(\dfrac{G_1}{1-HG_1} + \dfrac{G_2}{1-HG_2}\)

  2. \(\dfrac{G_1}{1+HG_1} + \dfrac{G_2}{1+HG_2}\)

  3. \(\dfrac{G_1+G_2}{1+H(G_1+G_2)}\)

  4. \(\dfrac{G_1+G_2}{1-H(G_1+G_2)}\)

Topic: Mathematical Models of Physical Systems

Solution

Ans. C

Using block diagram reduction or Mason’s formula:

The system has parallel forward paths \(G_1\) and \(G_2\) with common feedback \(H\).

From the block diagram: \[Y(s) = [X(s) - H(s)Y(s)]G_1(s) + [X(s) - H(s)Y(s)]G_2(s)\] \[Y(s) = [G_1(s) + G_2(s)][X(s) - H(s)Y(s)]\] \[Y(s) = [G_1(s) + G_2(s)]X(s) - [G_1(s) + G_2(s)]H(s)Y(s)\] \[Y(s) + [G_1(s) + G_2(s)]H(s)Y(s) = [G_1(s) + G_2(s)]X(s)\] \[Y(s)[1 + H(s)(G_1(s) + G_2(s))] = [G_1(s) + G_2(s)]X(s)\] \[\frac{Y(s)}{X(s)} = \frac{G_1(s) + G_2(s)}{1 + H(s)(G_1(s) + G_2(s))}\]