OPEN LOOP VS.
CLOSED LOOP SYSTEM IN CONTROL ENGINEERING
Course: ME-CONTROL SYSTEM
Level: 4th YEAR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Reference Video: Open Loop vs. Closed Loop System in Control Engineering: A Lecture
Part A: Conceptual Understanding (Multiple Choice-2 pts each)
1. In control systems, the Primary distinction between open-loop and closed-loop configurations lies in:
A. The type of actuator used
B. The presence or absence of feedback
C. The number of system inputs
D. The linearity of the system
2. A closed-loop system is generally preferred over an open-loop system when:
A. The process is simple and disturbances are negligible
B. Accuracy and automatic correction are required
C. The system cost must be minimized at all costs
D. The response time must be extremely fast, regardless of accuracy
3. The feedback element in a control system typically measures:
A. The control input signal
B. The system error before it occurs
C. The actual output to compare with the reference input
D. The actuator response time
4. A major disadvantage of a closed-loop system compared to an open-loop one is:
A. Lack of adaptability
B. Higher system complexity and potential instability
C. Poor accuracy under disturbances
D. Lower component reliability
5. The transfer function of an open loop system G(s) with feedback H(s) becomes a closed-loop transfer function of:
A. G (s)H(s) H(s)G(s)
B. GsHs
C. G (s)1+G(s)H (s)
D. 1+G(s)H(s)
Part B: Analytical Questions (5 pts each)
1. Derive the closed-loop transfer function for a unity feedback system where the open-loop transfer function is:
2. G(s)=10S(s+2)
Simplify the final expression and determine the type and order of the system
Solution:
G(s)=10S(s+2) The closed-loop transfer function is:
T(s)=G(s)1+GsH(s) ; Substitute G(s) and H(s)=1
T(s)=10S(s+2)1+10S(s+2) = 10Ss+2+10
T(s)= = 10s2+2s+10
3. Explain how feedback affects system stability. Discuss the concept of negative feedback and how it influences
steady-state error and system bandwidth.
● Negative feedback compares the actual output with the desired input and corrects any error.
● It generally improves stability by reducing oscillations and preventing the system from running away from the
desired value.
● Feedback reduces steady-state error because the controller continuously adjusts the system to reach the
setpoint.
● It can increase system bandwidth, allowing the system to respond correctly over a wider range of input
changes. However, too much feedback or poorly tuned feedback can cause instability (e.g., overshoot,
oscillation).
4. The video mentions that open-loop systems can be simpler and cheaper. From a mechanical systems perspective,
describe one example where an open-loop design is justified. Discuss the potential trade-offs.
A conveyor belt in a factory that runs at a fixed speed to move items between stations.
o Why open-loop is justified: The conveyor only needs to run at a fixed speed, and the load is consistent, so it
doesn’t need sensors or feedback.
o Potential trade-offs:
Advantages: Simple, cheap, and easy to maintain.
Disadvantages: If the load changes, the belt may slow down or speed up, and the system cannot automatically
correct errors in speed or position.
Part C: Applied Engineering Design (10 pts)
1. Design Scenario:
2. You are tasked to design a temperature control system for a furnace. The heating element has a transfer function:
● G(s)=5S+1Gs=s+15
(a) Propose an appropriate feedback mechanism for a closed-loop configuration.
o Sensor: a thermocouple or RTD inside the furnace measures temperature and sends a voltage (or
signal) proportional to temperature back to the controller.
o Controller: a PID controller (digital or analog) that computes the error 𝑒 ( 𝑡 ) = 𝑇 set − 𝑇 measured
e(t)=T set −T measured and outputs a control signal (e.g., 0–100% duty command).
o Actuator / Power Stage: a solid-state relay (SSR) or TRIAC driver that supplies power to the heating
element according to the controller output (PWM or phase-angle control).
o Safety / extras: include high-limit overtemperature switch, anti-windup on the integrator, and optional
feedforward from estimated disturbance, example when door opens.
(b) Sketch a block diagram showing the main components (set point, controller, sensor, actuator, furnace).
SET
ACTUATOR/HEAT FURNAC
E (G(s))
CONTROLLE
Feedback
th
TEMPERATUR
E SENSOR
(c) Explain qualitatively how your design maintains desired furnace temperature under disturbances (e.g., door
opening, ambient changes).
o Normal operation: the sensor measures the furnace temperature and sends it to the controller. If the
measured temperature is below the setpoint, the PID controller increases its output (more heater
power); if above, it reduces output. Because the loop is closed, the system continuously corrects small
errors, keeping temperature near the setpoint.
o When a disturbance occurs (e.g., door opening → sudden heat loss): the sensor sees a drop in
temperature. That creates a positive error (setpoint − measured > 0). The controller responds by
increasing heater power (raising current to the element) to restore temperature. The integral action in
the PID helps eliminate steady offset caused by continuous disturbances.
o If ambient temperature changes slowly: the feedback loop compensates by adjusting steady power to
the heater so the setpoint is maintained.
o Why this is robust: negative feedback reduces the effect of disturbances and model uncertainty. The
controller gains tune how fast it returns to setpoint and how much overshoot occurs. Practical tweaks
for reliability: use anti-windup on the integrator so that long saturations (e.g., heater already at max)
don’t cause overshoot when disturbance ends; implement a high-limit safety thermostat; and
consider adding a small derivative term or a low-pass filter to reduce measurement noise amplification.
Optional improvement: add a simple feedforward term if you can measure or estimate disturbances (e.
g., detect door opening) feedforward can improve transient response by preemptively increasing
power before the temperature falls too far.
Part D: Critical Thinking /Discussion (10 pts)
1. Discuss the trade-offs between open-loop and closed-loop control systems in mechanical applications such as:
● CNC machine positioning
Open-Loop
Example: stepper-motor CNC machines without encoders
Pros: cheaper, simpler, easier to maintain
Cons: no correction if the motor skips steps, low accuracy, easily affected by load changes
Disturbances: cutting resistance can cause position errors the system cannot fix
Response time: can be fast but not reliable
Closed-Loop
Example: servo-motor CNC with encoders
Pros: very accurate, automatically corrects position errors, stable under disturbances
Cons: more expensive; needs sensors and more complex controllers
● Automotive cruise control
Open-Loop
Pros: extremely cheap and simple
Cons: cannot maintain speed if road slope or wind changes; unsafe
Disturbances: hills cause speed to drop or increase
Accuracy: poor Response time: fast but uncontrolled
Closed-Loop
Pros: uses speed sensor feedback to adjust throttle automatically, keeps speed steady
Cons: requires sensors and ECU, higher cost, more complex design
Stability: stable and safe under changing driving conditions
● Robotic arm motion control
Open-Loop
Pros: lower cost, useful for simple hobby robots
Cons: low accuracy, no correction if load changes, poor stability under unexpected forces
Disturbances: object weight or friction can cause big errors
Closed-Loop
Pros: sensors (encoders, torque sensors) allow precise, smooth, and stable motion
Accuracy: very high Cost: higher due to sensors and advanced controllers
Response time: fast corrections for real-time operation
In your answer, compare factors such as accuracy, stability, cost, response time, and sensitivity to disturbances.
Conclude with your recommendation for which configuration is better suited for each case and why.
Application Best Choice Reason
CNC positioning Closed-Loop Precision and correction under load are
essential.
Automotive cruise control Closed-Loop Must maintain speed despite
slope/wind disturbances.
Robotic arm control Closed-Loop High accuracy, stability, and safe
interaction required.
o Open-loop systems are cheaper and simpler, but they lack accuracy and disturbance handling, making them
useful only for very simple tasks.
o Closed-loop systems provide better performance, automatic correction, and stability, which is why they are
used in most real mechanical control applications.