Automotive Control Engineering-Question Bank

Attempt all the questions but submit the following before 20/06/2021; 3, 6, 10, 17, 18(ii), 23,
26(iv), 27, 29 and 30.

Principles of Automatic Controls

1. Define a control system and give four examples in automotive engineering.

2. Draw a block diagram of a simple linear feedback control system. Identify the following
signals in the system;- r - Reference input, also called the set point. e - Error signal,
computed by subtracting the sensor measurement from the reference input. y - System output,
which is measured and used as the feedback signal. Gc - linear controller algorithm. Gp-
Linear plant model (including actuator dynamics.) H - Linear model of the sensor, which can
be modeled as a constant such as 1 if the sensor dynamics are negligible. Show that
y Gc G p
=
r 1+ H Gc G p
3. The blocks in the diagram represent nonlinear system components. Each block can represent
dynamic behavior with any degree of complexity as long as the requirement of nonlinearity is
satisfied. By use of a table, group the inputs, disturbances, feed backs and control parameters.

Open and Closed Loop Systems;

4. Give three examples of open-loop systems.
5. Functionally, how do closed-loop systems differ from open-loop systems?
6. State one condition under which the error signal of a feedback control system
would not be the difference between the input and the output.

Transfer Functions;
 7. Draw an equivalent single-loop closed-loop system after further reduction of the blocks in
the previous single-loop closed-loop system shown.
8. Show that the transfer function of this multi-loop system becomes:

Output θo G1 G2 G3 G4
= =
Input θi 1+G3 G 4 H 1 +G1 G2 G3 G4 H 2
9. If the magnitude of frequency response of an under damped second order system is 5 at 0
rad/sec and peaks to 10/√3 at 5√2 rad/sec. Show that the transfer function of the system is;
500
2
S + 10 S+ 100
10. Determine the transfer function of a system whose standard second order system for a unit
step input is given as;

y ( t ) =1−
2 −t
√3
e cos (√ 3t− π6 )
Types of Control Actions, On, Off,
11. Name the two parts of a system’s response.
12. Instability is attributable to what part of the total response?

Proportional Derivative and Integral;

13. Given the following differential equation, solve for y(t ) if all initial conditions are
zero. Use the Laplace transform
2
d y dy
2
+12 +32=32 u(t)
dt dx
14. Find the inverse transform of the following functions:-

2
F ( s )=
( S+1 ) (S +2)2

3
F ( s )= 2
S (S + 2 S+5)

15. Find the ramp response for a system whose transfer function is;
 S
G ( s )=
( S +4 ) (S+8)
16. Find the inverse Laplace Transform of the function

5S
F ( s )= 2
(S +2 S +10)

Transient and Steady State Response;

17. Time domain specifications usually relate to performance in response to a step change in the
reference input. The figure below shows an example of such a step input which
instantaneously changes the reference input from 0 to 1. Indicate the following time domain
specifications as following parameters:
i) Rise time ( tr)from 10% to 90% of the commanded value,
ii) Time to peak magnitude, (tp)
iii) Peak magnitude, (Mp) often expressed as the peak percentage by which the output signal
overshoots the step input command.
iv) Settling time,( ts) to within fraction ( 1%) of the step input command value
v) State what happens when no overshoot occurs to the following parameters:- tp and Mp

Frequency Response Analysis

18. For each of the transfer functions shown below, find the locations of the poles and zeros. Plot
them on the s-plane, and then write an expression for the general form of the step response
without solving the inverse transform. State the nature of each response (over damped, un
damped, and so on)
2
i) T ( s )=
( S+ 2 )
5
ii) T ( s )=
( S+ 3 ) (S+6)
 10 (S +3)
iii) T ( s )=
( S+ 10 ) (S +20)
20
iv) T ( s )=
( S 2+ 6 S +144 )
S+2
v) T ( s )=
( S 2+ 9 )
S+5
vi) T ( s )= 2
(S+10)
19. Many luxury automobiles have thermostatically controlled air-conditioning systems for the
comfort of the passengers. Sketch a block diagram of an air-conditioning system where the
driver sets the desired interior temperature on a dashboard panel. Identify the function of
each element of the thermostatically controlled cooling system.
20. Determine the finite poles and zeros of the following transfer functions:-
2 S +1
i) T ( s )= 2
( S + 3 S+ 2 )
5 S+1
ii) G ( s )= 2
( S +2 S +2 )
S +1
iii) G ( s )= 3
( S +3 S 2 +3 S +2 )
S +2
21. A system has a transfer function of G ( s )= . Find its poles and zeros, its gain at zero
¿¿
frequency and its response to unit step input.
22. Check whether all the roots of the equation S3+7S2+25S+30=0 are real.
23. Determine the stability of the of the closed-loop transfer function;

10
T ( s )= 5 4 3 2
S + 2 S + 3 S + 6 S 5 S+3

24. The yaw-rate gain is the gain of the transfer function from steering angle to vehicle yaw rate
at steady-state, and flat tires have lower cornering stiffness than normally inflated tires.
Provide equations and/or calculations as a basis for discussing whether the following
statements are true or false:
i) “Flat rear tires make a vehicle more under-steer.”
ii) “Flat front tires reduce the yaw-rate gain.”
iii) “If all vehicle parameters (including tire cornering stiffness) are fixed and only
the vehicle CG is moved backward, this vehicle becomes more under-steer.”
25. A system has a transfer function S4 + 5 S 3+5 S2 +8 S+ 4=0. Find its poles and zeros, its gain at
d.c (zero frequency) and its response to a unit step input.
26. The following important actuation devices are needed for engine and vehicle control systems.
Using simple block diagrams, describe how control is achieved in the system(s) they are
applied;----
 i) Fuel metering
ii) Spark ignition
iii) Exhaust gas
iv) Throttle actuator
v) Brake-Pressure modulator
vi) Suspension actuator
27.

Show that the spool valve displacement is given by the relationship xv(t);
 If the forward-path transfer function is given by the equation (4) work out the expression
for the closed loop-transfer function relating Xi(S) and Xo(S); given the system

parameters as

1
28. The sinusoidal signal Sin(ωt+θ) is applied to a network with transfer function at time
( ST +1 )
=0. Find the output. What should be the value of θ for no transient to be observed in the
output?
29. In the function G(s) shown below; (i) find the open loop characteristic equation given that
K=6 and a=4 and state whether the system is stable (ii) considering the case when K is
unknown and a=4, find the values of K where one zero is at -1, and show that the two
complex roots have zero real parts.

K (S+1)
G ( s )=
S (S+ a)(S ¿¿ 2+ S +1)¿
30. Find the closed loop transfer function for the speed control system shown in the figure below.
1 1 1
Given that the system parameters are G 1G2G3 of values; , , and H3H4H5 are of
s +1 s+ 4 s+6
1 1 s+2
values; , , respectively.
s s+3 s+1

-The end-