Laboratory Exercise No.

5
BLOCK DIAGRAM SIMPLIFICATION USING MATLAB SIMULINK

1. Objective(s):

To perform block diagram reduction using MATLAB Simulink

2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):

The students shall be able to:
2.1 Perform block diagram reduction using simulation software

3. Discussion :
<Provide a discussion of Simulink and delete this message after doing so.>
4. Resources:
Matlab

5. Procedure:
MatLab's Control Toolbox provides a number of very useful tools for manipulating block diagrams of
linear systems. There are three basic configurations that you will run into in typical block diagrams. These
are the parallel, series, and feedback configurations. While it is important to feel comfortable calculating the
overall transfer function given a complicated block diagram by hand, MatLab is a very useful tool for
removing some of the drudgery from this task. In this studio, we will talk about MatLab's functions for
automated block diagram manipulation, and also look at how matlab can be used to manually manipulate
block diagrams. Using these tools, we will investigate some important properties of feedback systems such
as tracking and steady-state error

Types of Process Block Diagrams

Feedback Blocks

Feedback connections are what the topic of control systems is all about. You should already know that for

the following negative feedback connection, the resulting transfer function is given by .
Rather than simplifying this by hand, T(s) can be found using MatLab's feedback() function.
To try this out, type:
[num, den] = feedback(num1, den1, num2, den2, -1)

The result should be: . Note that although MatLab's help file on this function says
that positive feedback is assumed, this is not always the case - negative feedback is the default in some
versions of MatLab. To be sure you are applying the proper feedback, a fifth arguement (SIGN) must be
added to the function as shown above. If SIGN = 1, positive feedback is used. If SIGN = -1, negative
feedback is used.
Another way to produce a feedback system is to use the cloop() function. This function produces the
transfer function of a unity-gain feedback system, i.e. the case when G2(s) = 1. If G2(s) = 1, then the
feedback connection can be determined as follows:
[num, den] = cloop(num1, den1, -1)
Note that just as with feedback(), cloop() takes a SIGN arguement to specify negative or positive feedback.
Unity-gain feedback is very common in control systems, so cloop() is a very useful function to have at your
command.

Parallel blocks

NOTE: This function only works in certain versions of MatLab. type "help parallel" to see if this function is
supported on your system.

Consider a diagram with two blocks in parallel, as shown here:

The overall transfer function, C(s)/R(s), is given by T(s) = G1(s) + G2(s). The MatLab function parallel() can
be used to determine the overall transfer function of this system. To see how this works, type:
[num, den] = parallel(num1, den1, num2, den2)
The result should be two polynomials which we have placed into the variables ` num' and ` den' : These
polynomials describe the overall transfer function defined by the parallel() operation, i.e. a third-order

system:

Series Blocks
A series connection of transfer functions yields an overall transfer function of T(s) = G1(s) G2(s). The
matlab function series() can be used to determine this transfer function. Using the example systems, find
the series connection by typing:

[num, den] = series(num1, den1, num2, den2)

As in the parallel connection, the result should be a third-order system:

Manual Block Manipulation

The previous block manipulations could have been done "by hand", instead of using the automated
functions, by employing the conv() and deconv() functions. These functions perform matrix convolution and
deconvolution, which is effectively the same thing as polynomial multiplication and division. For example, to
multiply and , simply type:
answer = conv([1 0 1], [1 2 3])

which will result in answer = [1 2 4 2 3] , or equivalently , which is exactly what you get
if you were to multiply out these polynomials by hand. Similarly, to divide answer by , type:
answer2 = deconv([1 2 4 2 3], [1 0 1])

which results in answer2 = [1 2 3] , or equivalently as expected.

conv() and deconv() are very useful tools for many control system analysis and design applications, and
you should keep them in mind for when you need to multiply or divide polynomials. They are mentioned
here since block reduction is effectively a process of polynomial multiplication, even though the automated
functions parallel() , series() , and feedback() are usually more convenient.

Course: ECE 006 Laboratory Exercise No.: 5

Group No.: Section:CH42FB1
Group Members: Date Performed: May 26, 2020
ALAMAR, CRYSTAL C Date Submitted: June 6, 2020
Instructor:
Engr. Crispulo Maranan
6. Data and Results:

Procedure No. Matlab Result

Feedback Block num1 = [1 0]
1
den1 = [1 0 2]

num2 = 1

den2 = [3 1]

num1 =

1 0

den1 =

1 0 2

num2 =

den2 =

3 1

[num, den] = parallel(num1, den1, num2, den2)

num =

0 4 1 2

den =

3 1 6 2

Parallel Block [num, den] = parallel(num1, den1, num2, den2)

num =
 0 4 1 2

den =

3 1 6 2

Series Block [num, den] = series(num1, den1, num2, den2)

num =

0 0 1 0

den =

3 1 6 2

Manual Block answer = conv([1 0 1], [1 2 3])

Manipulation 1
answer =

1 2 4 2 3

Manual Block answer2 = deconv([1 2 4 2 3], [1 0 1])

Manipulation 2
answer2 =

1 2 3

7. Conclusion:

I therefore conclude that in this experiment I am able to learn a new thing about what Matlab can offer. It
can also simplify a block diagram. Being able to learn a faster way of reduction of block diagram. Making it
easier, faster and more convenient than doing it manually.
8. Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Performance):

TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

RUBRIC FOR MODERN TOOL USAGE
(Engineering Programs)
Student Outcome (e): Use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering
practice in complex engineering activities.
Program: Chemical Engineering Course: ECE 006 Section: CH42FB1 SUMMER Sem SY 2020-2021
Performance Unsatisfactory Developing Satisfactory Very Satisfactory Score
 Indicators 1 2 3 4
Apply Fails to identify Identifies Identifies modern Recognizes the
appropriate any modern modern techniques and is benefits and
techniques, techniques to techniques but able to apply constraints of
skills, and perform fails to apply these in modern
modern discipline- these in performing engineering tools
tools to specific performing discipline-specific and shows
perform a engineering discipline- engineering task. intention to apply
discipline- task. specific them for
specific engineering engineering
engineering task. practice.
task.
Demonstrate Fails to apply Attempts to Shows ability to Shows ability to
skills in any modern apply modern apply fundamental apply the most
applying tools to solve tools but has procedures in appropriate and
different engineering difficulties to using modern effective modern
techniques problems. solve tools when solving tools to solve
and modern engineering engineering engineering
tools to problems. problems. problems.
solve
engineering
problems.
Recognize the Does not Recognizes Recognizes the Recognizes the
benefits and recognize the some benefits benefits and need for benefits
constraints benefits and and constraints of and constraints of
of modern constraints of constraints of modern modern
engineering modern modern engineering tools engineering tools
tools. engineering engineering and shows and makes good
tools. tools. intention to apply use of them for
them for engineering
engineering practice.
practice.
Total Score
Mean Score = (Total Score / 3)
Percentage Rating = (Total Score / 12) x 100%
Evaluated by: Engr. Crispulo Maranan June 6, 2020
Printed Name and Signature of Faculty Member Date