1. Which of the following is not a common terminology in control systems?
a) Actuator
b) Sensor
c) Predictor
d) Controller
Answer: c) Predictor
Explanation: In control systems, actuators are used to exert control over a system, sensors are used to measure system variables, and controllers determine the control action. However, “predictor” is not a standard term in control system terminology.
2. Which classification of control system describes a system where the output has no effect on the control action?
a) Open-loop control system
b) Closed-loop control system
c) Feedback control system
d) Linear control system
Answer: a) Open-loop control system
Explanation: In an open-loop control system, the output is not used to influence the control action. The control action is predetermined and not based on the system’s output.
3. An example of an open-loop control system is:
a) Thermostat-controlled heating system
b) Cruise control in a car
c) Automatic door with motion sensor
d) Temperature regulation using a feedback loop
Answer: a) Thermostat-controlled heating system
Explanation: In a thermostat-controlled heating system, the control action (turning on or off the heater) is based solely on the temperature setting, without considering the actual room temperature.
4. Which mathematical technique is commonly used for modeling mechanical and electrical systems in control theory?
a) Calculus
b) Linear algebra
c) Differential equations
d) Integral equations
Answer: c) Differential equations
Explanation: Differential equations are commonly used to model the dynamic behavior of mechanical and electrical systems in control theory.
5. The transfer function of a system represents:
a) The relationship between input and output signals in the frequency domain
b) The relationship between input and output signals in the time domain
c) The steady-state response of a system
d) The transient response of a system
Answer: a) The relationship between input and output signals in the frequency domain
Explanation: The transfer function of a system describes how the system responds to input signals of different frequencies in the frequency domain.
6. Which representation is commonly used to illustrate the interconnection of control system components?
a) Flowchart
b) Scatter plot
c) Block diagram
d) Pie chart
Answer: c) Block diagram
Explanation: Block diagrams are commonly used in control systems to represent the interconnection of components and their functions.
7. Block diagram reduction techniques are used to:
a) Simplify complex control system architectures
b) Increase the complexity of control system designs
c) Enhance the stability of control systems
d) Introduce non-linearities into control system models
Answer: a) Simplify complex control system architectures
Explanation: Block diagram reduction techniques are used to simplify complex control system architectures, making them easier to analyze and design.
8. In signal flow graph techniques, nodes represent:
a) Control actions
b) System inputs
c) System outputs
d) Variables or signals
Answer: d) Variables or signals
Explanation: In signal flow graph techniques, nodes represent variables or signals within the system, while edges represent the flow of those variables between nodes.
9. Which type of control system utilizes the system’s output to adjust the control action?
a) Open-loop control system
b) Closed-loop control system
c) Adaptive control system
d) Nonlinear control system
Answer: b) Closed-loop control system
Explanation: Closed-loop control systems use feedback from the system’s output to adjust the control action, allowing for more accurate and precise control.
10. The main advantage of feedback in control systems is:
a) Increased system complexity
b) Reduced stability
c) Improved accuracy and robustness
d) Decreased control performance
Answer: c) Improved accuracy and robustness
Explanation: Feedback in control systems helps to improve accuracy and robustness by allowing the system to adjust its behavior based on the actual output.
11. How does feedback affect the sensitivity of a control system to external disturbances?
a) Increases sensitivity
b) Decreases sensitivity
c) Has no effect on sensitivity
d) Makes sensitivity unpredictable
Answer: b) Decreases sensitivity
Explanation: Feedback reduces the sensitivity of a control system to external disturbances by allowing the system to continuously adjust its control action based on the system’s output.
12. Linearization effect of feedback refers to:
a) Making a nonlinear system behave linearly through feedback
b) Introducing nonlinearity into a linear system through feedback
c) Removing feedback from a linear system
d) Stabilizing a nonlinear system without feedback
Answer: a) Making a nonlinear system behave linearly through feedback
Explanation: The linearization effect of feedback refers to the ability of feedback to make a nonlinear system behave approximately linearly around a certain operating point.
13. Regenerative feedback in control systems refers to:
a) Feedback that amplifies the system’s output
b) Feedback that dampens the system’s output
c) Feedback that stabilizes the system
d) Feedback that introduces nonlinearity into the system
Answer: a) Feedback that amplifies the system’s output
Explanation: Regenerative feedback, also known as positive feedback, amplifies the system’s output, potentially leading to instability or oscillations.
14. Which of the following systems is an example of a closed-loop control system?
a) Home thermostat
b) Timer-controlled sprinkler system
c) Automatic gate with obstruction sensor
d) Ceiling fan with manual speed control
Answer: c) Automatic gate with obstruction sensor
Explanation: In an automatic gate with an obstruction sensor, the system uses feedback from the sensor to adjust the gate’s operation, making it a closed-loop control system.
15. In a closed-loop control system, the control action is based on:
a) Only the system’s input
b) Only the system’s output
c) Both the system’s input and output
d) Neither the system’s input nor output
Answer: c) Both the system’s input and output
Explanation: In a closed-loop control system, the control action is based on both the system’s input and output, allowing for feedback-based adjustments.
16. Which representation is used to analyze the stability of control systems?
a) Block diagram
b) Signal flow graph
c) Nyquist plot
d) Bode plot
Answer: c) Nyquist plot
Explanation: Nyquist plots are commonly used to analyze the stability of control systems by plotting the frequency response of the system in the complex plane.
17. What effect does feedback have on the bandwidth of a control system?
a) Increases the bandwidth
b) Decreases the bandwidth
c) Has no effect on the bandwidth
d) Makes the bandwidth unpredictable
Answer: a) Increases the bandwidth
Explanation: Feedback generally increases the bandwidth of a control system, allowing it to respond to faster changes in the system.
18. Which type of feedback tends to stabilize a control system?
a) Positive feedback
b) Negative feedback
c) Regenerative feedback
d) Degenerative feedback
Answer: b) Negative feedback
Explanation: Negative feedback tends to stabilize a control system by reducing the difference between the desired output and the actual output.
19. The steady-state error of a control system refers to:
a) The error that persists after the transient response has decayed
b) The error that occurs during the transient response
c) The error caused by external disturbances
d) The error introduced by feedback
Answer: a) The error that persists after the transient response has decayed
Explanation: The steady-state error is the error that remains after the transient response of a control system has settled, indicating the system’s ability to accurately track the desired output.
20. Which technique is used to simplify the analysis of complex control system architectures?
a) Block diagram reduction
b) Signal flow graph
c) Nyquist plot
d) Bode plot
Answer: a) Block diagram reduction
Explanation: Block diagram reduction techniques are used to simplify the analysis of complex control system architectures by reducing them to simpler forms without altering their essential characteristics.