The Significance of Sensitivity in Feedback System Studies
Abstract
The sensitivity function defined originally by Bode and Mason is the fundamental measure of the effectiveness of feedback, in controlling the effects of both parameter variations and unwanted, noise signals. After a preliminary discussion of the significance of the sensitivity function, methods for the simple calculation of the sensitivity are presented (Section 5) - methods valid whenever the overall transmission i: a bilinearfunction of the varying parameter (thus, whenever the parameter is a circuit element or the transmittance of a controlled source). The sensitivity function yields simple evaluations of the parameter margins (Section 6) - the amount by which specific parameters must be varied to cause system instability. The parameter margins can be evaluated directly from the frequency-domain plots utilized in normal system design. This interpretation of the sensitivity function is of importance not only in the logical design for simultaneous control of several sensitivity functions, but also in the identification problem. Extensions to the study of nonlinear systems can be effected if a frequency-independent describing function can be defined.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0273024
Entities
People
- J. G. Truxal
- W. A. Lynch
Organizations
- New York University Tandon School of Engineering