Control systems sample questions

1. A type of control system where the input tracks the output to minimize steady state errors
is a characteristic of
a. Single input single output system (SISO)
b. Multiple inputs multiple output system (MIMO)
c. Feedback control system
d. None of the above

2. Which of the following are valid Laplace transforms?

!
a. ℒ{1} = "
!
b. ℒ{𝑡} = "!
!
c. ℒ{𝑒 #$ } = "%#
#
d. ℒ{sin(𝑎𝑡)} = "! &#!

3. Which functions have Laplace transforms?

a. 𝑒 %'$
b. sin 𝑡
c. 𝑡(
!
d. 𝑒$

4. Which statements about Laplace transforms are true?

a. Laplace transform is a linear operator.

b. It converts differential equations into algebraic equations.
c. It is defined only for periodic functions.
d. It is mainly used for solving initial value problems.

5. All the following are importance of control systems except

a. Power amplification
b. Remote control
c. Disturbance control
d. Easy implementation

6. A kind of control system which is totally independent of the systems output is a

characteristic of
a. Open loop system
b. Closed loop system
c. Single input single output system (SISO)
 d. None of the above

7. Which are correct Laplace transform formulas?

"
a. ℒ{cos(𝑎𝑡)} = "! &#!
#
b. ℒ{sinh(𝑎𝑡)} = "! %#!
"
c. ℒ{cosh(𝑎𝑡)} = "! %#!
!
d. ℒ{𝑒 %#$ } = "&#

8. Which expression best describes the output, Y(s) of the system below?

a. 𝑌(𝑠) = 𝐺(𝑠) + 𝑅(𝑠) + 𝑋(𝑠)

b. 𝑌(𝑠) = 𝐺(𝑠)(𝑅𝑠 + 𝑋𝑠)
c. 𝑌(𝑠) = (𝐺𝑠 + 𝑅𝑠) + 𝑋𝑠
d. 𝑌(𝑠) = 𝐺(𝑠)𝑅(𝑠)𝑋(𝑠)

9. If 𝐹(𝑠) = ℒ{𝑓(𝑡)}, which identities are correct?

a. ℒ{𝑓 ) (𝑡)} = 𝑠𝐹(𝑠) − 𝑓(0)

b. ℒ{𝑓 )) (𝑡)} = 𝑠 ' 𝐹(𝑠) − 𝑠𝑓(0) − 𝑓 ) (0)
*
c. ℒ{𝑡𝑓(𝑡)} = − *" 𝐹(𝑠)
+($)
d. ℒ; $
< = 𝑠𝐹(𝑠)

10. Which inverse Laplace transforms are correct?

!
a. ℒ %! ;" < = 1
!
b. ℒ %! ;"! < = 𝑡
"
c. ℒ %! ;"! &.< = cos(3𝑡)
(
d. ℒ %! ;"! &.< = sin(3𝑡)

11. Which properties of the Laplace transform are true?

a. Time shifting property exists.

b. Frequency shifting property exists.
c. Convolution in time corresponds to multiplication in the 𝑠-domain.
 d. Differentiation in time corresponds to multiplication by 𝑠(with initial-condition
terms).

12. Which functions satisfy ℒ{𝑓(0)} = 𝑓(0)?

a. Constant function
b. Exponential function
c. Polynomial function
d. None of the above

13. Which are applications of Laplace transforms?

a. Solving ordinary differential equations

b. Control systems analysis
c. Electrical circuit analysis
d. Signal processing

14. Which of the following Laplace transforms are correct?

/!
a. ℒ{𝑡 / } = ""#$ , where 𝑛is a non-negative integer.

b. ℒ{𝑒 #$ 𝑓(𝑡)} = 𝐹(𝑠 − 𝑎)

c. ℒ{𝛿(𝑡)} = 1
1 %&'
d. ℒ{𝑢(𝑡 − 𝑎)} = "
, where 𝑢(𝑡 − 𝑎)is the unit step function.

15. Which of the options a-d best describes the output, Y(s) of the system below?

a. 𝑌(𝑠) = 𝐺(𝑠)𝑅(𝑠)𝑋(𝑠)
b. 𝑌(𝑠) = 𝐺(𝑠)(𝑅𝑠 + 𝑋𝑠)
c. 𝑌(𝑠) = (𝐺𝑠 + 𝑅𝑠) + 𝑋𝑠
d. 𝑌(𝑠) = 𝐺(𝑠) + 𝑅(𝑠) + 𝑋(𝑠)

16. Which of the following is not an advantage of open loop system over closed loop system.
a. Simple in construction and design
b. Economic
 c. Convenient to use when output is difficult to measure
d. Reliability issues
17. Which of the following is the most accurate mathematical representation of the Laplace
transform of a function 𝑓(𝑡)?
"2%3
a. 𝐿[𝑓(𝑡)] = 𝐹(𝑠) = ∫"24 𝑓(𝑡)𝑒 %"$ 𝑑𝑡
$23
b. 𝐿[𝑓(𝑡)] = 𝐹(𝑠) = ∫$24 𝑓(𝑡)𝑒 %"$ 𝑑𝑡
$23
c. 𝐿[𝑓(𝑡)] = 𝐹(𝑠) = ∫$23 𝑓(𝑡)𝑒 %"$ 𝑑𝑡
$23
d. 𝐿[𝑓(𝑡)] = 𝐹(𝑠) = ∫$24 𝑓(𝑡)𝑒 %#$ 𝑑𝑡
18. Which of the following most describes the complex frequency variable “s” in the Laplace
Transform equation?
a. 𝑠 = 𝜎 + 𝑗𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜔𝑡)
b. 𝑠 = 𝑒 %$ + 𝑗𝜔
c. 𝑠 = 𝜎 + 𝑗𝜔
d. 𝑠 = 1 + 𝑗𝜔

Consider the block diagram of fig. 1 below and answer questions 9 to 12.

Fig. 1. Block diagram

19. Using its equivalent signal flow graph, which of the following best represents its forward
path gains?
a. P1 = AB, P2 = A
b. P1 = AC, P2 = B
c. P1 = -AC, P2 = A
d. P1 = -AB, P2 = -B

20. Using the equivalent signal flow graph of fig. 1, which of the following best represents all
the loops?
a. L1 = −ABC L2 = CB L3 = C
b. L1 = −ABC L2 = −AB L3 = −A
c. L1 = −ABC L2 = AC L3 = −B
d. L1 = −ABC L2 = −C L3 = AC

21. How many non-touching loops can be identified in the equivalent signal flow of fig. 1?
 a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. None

22. Which of the options below best describes the Transfer function of the system using the
equation 1.
5 7 .∆
𝑇 = 6' = ∑/:2! (∆ ( (eq. 1)
'

;(!%<)
a. 𝐻(𝑠) = !&;<=%;<&=
;(!%<)
b. 𝐻(𝑠) = !&;<=&;<%=
;(!&<)
c. 𝐻(𝑠) = !&;<=&;<&=
;(!&<)
d. 𝐻(𝑠) = !%;<=&;<&=

23. Find the L.T of the function:

𝑓(𝑡) = 𝑒 %#$ cos(𝜔𝑡)
"&#
a. 𝐹(𝑠) = ("&#)! &>!
"%#
b. 𝐹(𝑠) = ("%#)! &>!
"&#
c. 𝐹(𝑠) = ("&#)! %>!
>
d. 𝐹(𝑠) = ("&#)! &>!

24. Find the Inverse Laplace Transform of the frequency domain function
2
𝐹(𝑠) =
(𝑠 + 1)(𝑠 + 2)
a. 𝐹(𝑠) = 2. 𝑒 %#$ − 2. 𝑒 %'#$
b. 𝐹(𝑠) = 2. 𝑒 %"$ − 2. 𝑒 %'"$
c. 𝐹(𝑠) = 2. 𝑒 %$ − 2. 𝑒 %'$
d. 𝐹(𝑠) = 2. 𝑒 %" − 2. 𝑒 %'"
25. Which of the options, a to d, best describes the transfer function of the electrical network
of fig. 2 ?
 Fig. 2
?
a. 𝐻(𝑠) = @&"?
@
b. 𝐻(𝑠) = @&"?
@?
c. 𝐻(𝑠) = @&"?
@A
"?
d. 𝐻(𝑠) = @&"?
26. Figure 3 below is a unity feedback control system designed for a space rover. What is the
transfer function of the system.

Fig. 3 Space rover control system

BCD
a. 𝐻(𝑠) = !&BCD$
!

BCD!
b. 𝐻(𝑠) = !&BCD
$

BC
c. 𝐻(𝑠) = !&CD + 𝐻!
!

BCD
d. 𝐻(𝑠) = !&BC$ + 𝐻'

27. Which of the systems below most describes the Transfer function of a system with (-1, -
3) as poles and zeros as (-2, -4)?
("&')("&E)
a. 𝐻(𝑠) = ("%!)("&()
("&')("%E)
b. 𝐻(𝑠) = ("&!)("&()
" ! &F"&G
c. 𝐻(𝑠) = "! &E"&(
" ! &E"&(
d. 𝐻(𝑠) = "! &F"&G

Consider the Transfer function of a drone as equation 3 and answer questions 19 and 20.

!4("&!)
𝐺(𝑠) = "! &F"&'H (eq. 3)
28. What are the poles and zeros of the system
a. Zeros: −1, Pole = 4 ± 3𝑖
b. Zeros: −1, Pole = 6 ± 8𝑖
c. Zeros: −1, Pole = 8 ± 6𝑖
d. Zeros: −1, Pole = 3 ± 4𝑖
29. Which of the following is not an advantage of open loop system over closed loop system.
a. Simple in construction and design
b. Economic
c. Convenient to use when output is difficult to measure
d. Reliability issues
30. Which of the following is the most accurate mathematical representation of the Laplace
transform of a function 𝑓(𝑡)?
"2%3
a. 𝐿[𝑓(𝑡)] = 𝐹(𝑠) = ∫"24 𝑓(𝑡)𝑒 %"$ 𝑑𝑡
$23
b. 𝐿[𝑓(𝑡)] = 𝐹(𝑠) = ∫$24 𝑓(𝑡)𝑒 %"$ 𝑑𝑡
$23
c. 𝐿[𝑓(𝑡)] = 𝐹(𝑠) = ∫$23 𝑓(𝑡)𝑒 %"$ 𝑑𝑡
$23
d. 𝐿[𝑓(𝑡)] = 𝐹(𝑠) = ∫$24 𝑓(𝑡)𝑒 %#$ 𝑑𝑡
31. Which of the following most describes the complex frequency variable “s” in the Laplace
Transform equation?
a. 𝑠 = 𝜎 + 𝑗𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜔𝑡)
b. 𝑠 = 𝑒 %$ + 𝑗𝜔
c. 𝑠 = 𝜎 + 𝑗𝜔
d. 𝑠 = 1 + 𝑗𝜔
32. Find the Laplace transform of the signal below when u(t) is defined as 1 when t > 0 and 0
when t < 0.

!
e. 𝐹(𝑠) = I
!
f. 𝐹(𝑠) = I&#
!
g. 𝐹(𝑠) = I%#
3
h. 𝐹(𝑠) = ∫4 1 𝑒 %"$ 𝑑𝑡
33. Find the Laplace transform of the signal below when a > 0.
 !
a. 𝐹(𝑠) = "!
!
b. 𝐹(𝑠) = I&#
!
c. 𝐹(𝑠) = "! &#
!
d. 𝐹(𝑠) = "! &#!
34. Find the Transfer Function of the System given by:
𝑑 ' 𝑦(𝑡) 𝑑𝑦(𝑡)
'
+ 3. + 2. 𝑦(𝑡) = 𝑥(𝑡)
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
!
a. 𝐻(𝑠) = "! &("&'
(
b. 𝐻(𝑠) = "! &("&'
'
c. 𝐻(𝑠) = "! &("&'
!
d. 𝐻(𝑠) = "! &("&!

35. Find the Laplace transform of the function below.

𝑓(𝑡) = 𝑢(𝑡) + 2. 𝑒 %($ + 3. sin(2𝑡)
! ' F
a. 𝐹(𝑠) = I + I&( + I ! &(')!
! ' F
b. 𝐹(𝑠) = I + I%( + I ! &(')!
! ' F
c. 𝐹(𝑠) = I + I%( + I ! %(')!
! ' (
d. 𝐹(𝑠) = I + I&( + I ! &(')!
!
36. Find the Inverse Laplace Transform of 𝐹(𝑠) = ("&()!

a. 𝐹(𝑠) = 𝑒 %#$
b. 𝐹(𝑠) = 𝑒 %"$
c. 𝐹(𝑠) = 𝑒 %#$ .t
d. 𝐹(𝑠) = 𝑒 %"$ .t

37. Two blocks 𝐺! (𝑠)and 𝐺' (𝑠)are connected in series. What is the equivalent transfer
function?

a. 𝐺! (𝑠) + 𝐺' (𝑠)

b. 𝐺! (𝑠) − 𝐺' (𝑠)
c. 𝐺! (𝑠) × 𝐺' (𝑠)
C$ (")
d. C! (")

38. A forward path transfer function is

 10
𝐺(𝑠) =
𝑠+2

and the feedback transfer function is

𝐻(𝑠) = 0.5.

The feedback is negative. The closed-loop transfer function is:

!4
a. "&J
$)
'#!
b. *
!&'#!
!4
c. "%(
$)
'#!
d. *
!%'#!

39. Two blocks are connected in parallel with transfer functions

3 5
𝐺! (𝑠) = , 𝐺' (𝑠) = .
𝑠+1 𝑠+2

The equivalent transfer function is:

a. 𝐺! (𝑠)𝐺' (𝑠)
b. 𝐺! (𝑠) + 𝐺' (𝑠)
C$ (")
c. C! (")
d. 𝐺! (𝑠) − 𝐺' (𝑠)

40. Which of the following is the correct rule when moving a take-off point from before a
block to after the block?

a. Multiply the branch by the block transfer function.

b. Divide the branch by the block transfer function.
c. No change is required.
d. Replace the block with unity gain.

41. Which block diagram reduction rule should be applied first when simplifying a complex
control system?

a. Expand every transfer function into partial fractions.

b. Combine obvious series, parallel, and simple feedback loops step by step.
c. Always move all summing points before simplifying.
d. Ignore the feedback loops until the end.