Block Diagram Representation

of Control Systems
M. Azharul Haque
Dept. of EEE
PAU
 Introduction
• You have already observed that we have represented
the control system components in the form of rectangular
boxes and connections of the rectangles by arrows
instead of showing them as schematic of the physical
systems.
• Generally defining, a block diagram is a pictorial
representation of an idea or concept. It is used to
describe the broad aspect of the connectivity or
relationship between things, and rarely includes small
details. Because of the limited information on block
diagrams, they do not lend themselves to be analyzed or
for comprehensive planning.
 What is Block Diagram?
• In control system, a block diagram is a
specialized, high-level type of flowchart. It’s
highly structured form that presents a quick
overview of major process steps and key
process participants, as well as the relationships
and interfaces involved.
• It shows the connectivity between different
components of a control system through arrow
heads and the components as blocks
(rectangles, circles, etc.). Arrows indicate the
signal flows between blocks
 Block Diagram Defined
Definition: A block diagram of a system is a pictorial
representation of the functions performed by each
component of the system and shows the flow of signals.
The basic elements of block diagram block, branch point
and summing point.
• The following diagram shows the Lube Oil Cooler
Temperature Control System:

Fig.24: Schematic of Lube Oil Cooler Temperature Control

System
The following Block Diagram shows the Lube Oil Cooler Temperature
Control System and Equivalent Block Diagram:

Fig.25: Block Diagram representation of Lube Oil Cooler

Temperature Control System
Tank Level Regulator Example

(a)
Schematic of
Tank Level
Regulator

(b)
Block Diagram
Representation
of Tank Level
Regulator

Fig. 26
 Use of Block Diagrams
• A block diagram is a useful tool both in designing new
processes and in improving existing processes. In both cases
the block diagram provides a quick, high-level view of the
work and may rapidly lead to process points of interest.
• The block diagram is typically used for a higher level, less
detailed description aimed more at understanding the overall
concepts and less at understanding the details of
implementation.
• Contrast this with the schematic diagram and layout diagram
used in the electrical engineering world, where the schematic
diagram shows the details of each electrical component and
the layout diagram shows the details of physical construction
 Use of Block Diagrams (Cont…)
• Because block diagrams are a visual language for
describing actions in a complex system, it is
possible to formalize them into a specialized
programmable logic controller (PLC) programming
language.
• Organizational Uses: Block diagrams can also
be used as a means of showing the relationships
between departments in an organization or
workplace. They commonly depict a chain of
command or show the way processes are
handled, such as customer complaints.
 How to Use of Block Diagrams?
• Identify the process. Define the start point and finish point
for the process to be examined. Identify the key process
participants. Identify all key components that participate in
the process. Include forward path and feedback path,
actuators, sensors and transducers, comparators and/ or
summers. Label the diagram: write the name of the
components and the plant/process being controlled.
 Function Block Diagram
• A function block diagram is a block diagram that
describes a function between input variables and output
variables. A function is described as a set of elementary
blocks. Input and output variables are connected to
blocks by connection lines. An output of a block may also
be connected to an input of another block:

Fig.27: Functional block diagram of the attitude control and

maneuvering electronics system. June 1962.
 Function Block Diagram (Cont…)
• Inputs and outputs of the blocks are wired together
with connection lines, or links. Single lines may be
used to connect two logical points of the diagram:
– An input variable and an input of a block
– An output of a block and an input of another block
– An output of a block and an output variable
• The connection is oriented, meaning that the line
carries associated data from the left end to the right
end. The left and right ends of the connection line
must be of the same type.
• Multiple right connection, also called divergence
can be used to broadcast information from its left
end to each of its right ends. All ends of the
connection must be of the same
 Process CONTROL Block DIAGRAMS
• A representative Block Diagram of a Process Control
system is shown below:

Fig. Take Off Point

 Summing Points in Block Diagram
Although  blocks  are  used  to  identify  many  types  of
 mathematical  operations,  operations  of addition and subtraction
are represented by a circle, called a summing point.  As shown in
the following figures, a summing point may have one or several
inputs.   Each input has its own appropriate plus or minus sign A
 summing  point  has  only  one  output  and  is  equal  to  the
 algebraic  sum  of  the inputs. A takeoff point is used to allow a
signal to be used by more than one block or summing point

Figure shoiwing   Summing Points

Figure showing
  Takeoff Point
The Block Diagram of Control Loop (Cont…)
• The  disturbance  is  an  undesirable  input
 signal  that  upsets  the  value  of  the  
controlled output of the plant. Figure 9
shows a typical application of a block
diagram to identify the operation of a
temperature control system for lubricating
oil.   (A) in Figure 9 shows a schematic
diagram of the lube oil cooler and its
associated temperature control system
 The Block Diagram of Control Loop (Cont…)
• Figure below shows basic elements of a feedback control
system as represented by a block diagram. The  functional
 relationships  between  these  elements  are  easily  seen.
   An  important  factor  to remember is that the block diagram
represents flow paths of control signals, but does not
represent flow of energy through the system or process.

Fig.24:   Feedback Control System Block Diagram

The Block Diagram of Control Loop (Cont…)
• The following Block Diagram shows the Lube Oil
Cooler Temperature Control System and
Equivalent Block Diagram
 Block Diagram (Cont…)

• Block diagram is a diagram of a system,

in which the principal parts or functions are
represented by blocks connected by lines,
that show the relationships of the blocks.
[1] They are heavily used in the
engineering world in hardware design,
electronic design, software design, and
process flow diagrams
 What Is Block Diagram?
• Generally defining, a block diagram is a
pictorial representation of an idea or
concept. It is used to describe the broad
aspect of the connectivity or relationship
between things, and rarely includes small
details. Because of the limited information
on block diagrams, they do not lend
themselves to be analyzed or for
comprehensive planning.
What is Block Diagram (Cont…)
• In control system, a bock diagram is a
specialized, high-level type of flowchart. Its
highly structured form presents a quick overview
of major process steps and key process
participants, as well as the relationships and
interfaces involved. It shows the connectivity
between different components of a control
system through arrow heads and the
components as blocks (rectangles, circles).
Arrows indicate the signal flows between blocks
 Definition of Block Diagram
• Block diagram is a diagram of a system,
in which the principal parts or functions are
represented by blocks connected by lines,
that show the relationships of the blocks.
[1] They are heavily used in the
engineering world in hardware design,
electronic design, software design, and
process flow diagrams
 Definition of Block Diagram (Cont…)

What is block diagram?

• A block diagram of a system is a pictorial
representation of the functions performed
by each component of the system and
shows the flow of signals. The basic
elements of block diagram block, branch
point and summing point.
 Use of Block Diagrams
• When to use Block Diagrams?
A block diagram is a useful tool both in designing new
processes and in improving existing processes. In both
cases the block diagram provides a quick, high-level view
of the work and may rapidly lead to process points of
interest. Because of its high-level perspective, it may not
offer the level of detail required for more comprehensive
planning or analysis. Team members who construct a
block diagram must have a clear understanding of how
the process operates
• Organizational Uses of Block Diagrams
Block diagrams can also be used as a means of showing
the relationships between departments in an organization
or workplace. They commonly depict a chain of command
or show the way processes are handled, such as
customer complaints.
Use of Block Diagrams (Cont…)
• How to Use Block Diagrams?
Identify the process. Define the start point and
finish point for the process to be examined.
Identify the key process participants. Identify
all key components that participate in the
process. Include forward path and feedback
path, actuators, sensors and transducers,
comparators and/ or summers. Label the
diagram: write the name of the components
and the plant/process being controlled.
 Use of Block Diagrams (Cont…)
• The block diagram is typically used for a higher level, less
detailed description aimed more at understanding the
overall concepts and less at understanding the details of
implementation. Contrast this with the schematic diagram
and layout diagram used in the electrical engineering world,
where the schematic diagram shows the details of each
electrical component and the layout diagram shows the
details of physical construction. Because block diagrams are
a visual language for describing actions in a complex
system, it is possible to formalize them into a specialized
programmable logic controller (PLC) programming
language.
• Usage examples
As an example, a block diagram of a radio is not expected
to show each and every wire and dial and switch, but the
schematic diagram is. The schematic diagram of a radio
does not show the width of each wire in the printed circuit
board, but the layout diagram does.
 Function Block Diagram
• A function block diagram is a block diagram that describes a
function between input variables and output variables. A function is
described as a set of elementary blocks. Input and output variables
are connected to blocks by connection lines. An output of a block
may also be connected to an input of another block:

Figure-1: Functional block diagram of the attitude control

and maneuvering electronics system. June 1962.
 Function Block Diagram (Cont…)
• Inputs and outputs of the blocks are wired together with
connection lines, or links. Single lines may be used to
connect two logical points of the diagram:
– An input variable and an input of a block
– An output of a block and an input of another block
– An output of a block and an output variable
• The connection is oriented, meaning that the line carries
associated data from the left end to the right end. The
left and right ends of the connection line must be of the
same type.
• Multiple right connection, also called divergence can be
used to broadcast information from its left end to each of
its right ends. All ends of the connection must be of the
same
Process CONTROL Block DIAGRAMS
• A representative Block Diagram of a Process Control
system is shown below:

Input Control Output

Element

√
 Summing Points in Block in Block Diagram
Although  blocks  are  used  to  identify  many  types  of  mathematical  ope-
rations,  operations  of addition and subtraction are represented by a circle,
called a summing point.  As shown in the following figures, a summing point
may have one or several inputs.   Each input has its own appropriate plus
or minus sign A  summing  point  has  only  one  output  and  is  equal  to
 the  algebraic  sum  of  the inputs. A takeoff point is used to allow a signal
to be used by more than one block or summing point

Figure shoiwing   Summing Points

Figure showing
  Takeoff Point
 CONTROL LOOP DIAGRAMS
• Process Controls use several terms associated with the
closed-loop block diagram. The  plant  is  the  system  or
 process  through  which  aparticular  quantity  or
 condition  is controlled.   This is also called
the controlled system. The  control elements  are
components needed to generate the appropriate control
signal applied to the plant.   These elements are also
called the "controller." The  feedback  elements  are
 components  needed  to  identify  the  functional
 relationship between the feedback signal and the
controlled output. The  reference  point  is  an  external
 signal  applied  to  the  summing  point  of  the  control
system to cause the plant to produce a specified action.
 This signal represents the desired value of a controlled
variable and is also called the "setpoint."
 CONTROL LOOP DIAGRAMS (Cont…)
• The controlled output is the quantity or condition of the plant which is
controlled. This signal represents the controlled variable. The  feedback
signal  is a function of the output signal.   It is sent to the summing point
and algebraically added to the reference input signal to obtain the
actuating signal. The actuating signal represents the control action of
the control loop and is equal to the algebraic sum of the reference input
signal and feedback signal.   This is also called the "error signal."
The manipulated variable is the variable of the process acted upon to
maintain the plant output (controlled variable) at the desired value
• The  disturbance  is  an  undesirable  input  signal  that  upsets  the
 value  of  the  controlled output of the plant. Figure 9 shows a typical
application of a block diagram to identify the operation of a temperature
control system for lubricating oil.   (A) in Figure 9 shows a schematic
diagram of the lube oil cooler and its associated temperature control
system.
Feedback Control System Block Diagram
• Figure below shows basic elements of a feedback control system as
represented by a block diagram. The  functional  relationships  between
 these  elements  are  easily  seen.    An  important  factor  to remember is
that the block diagram represents flow paths of control signals, but does not
represent flow of energy through the system or process.

Figure:   Feedback Control System Block Diagram

Example of Feedback Control System Block Diagram
• The following Block Diagram shows the Lube Oil
Cooler Temperature Control System and
Equivalent Block Diagram