Extras Index
This section contains a list of the pages that are not in the main flow of the which are not in the main flow of the tutorials, but which provide important reference information. Short descriptions of each Extra page are provided.

Conversions

The Conversions page explains how to use MATLAB to convert between three different types of representations of a control system. The three forms are the transfer function form, the state space form, and the zero-pole-gain form which can be represented using vectrors, matrices, or MATLAB's 'sys' formats.

Commands

The Commands page contains a list of the commands used in Controls Tutorials for MATLAB. Commands are standard MATLAB Commands, commands from the Controls Systems Toolbox, or customized commands written for the tutorials.

Difference Equations and System Representations

The Difference Equations page describes the difference equation description of discrete-time systems and how to derive transfer functions and state space representations from them.

Digital Lead and Lag

The Discrete Lead-Lag page covers the design of discrete-time lead and lag controllers using root locus methods.

Digital Steady State Error

The Digital Steady State Error page explains the Final Value Theorem for discrete time systems and how to use it to calculate the steady state error of a system for a step input or an impulse input.

Discrete Pole Locations and Transient Response

The Discrete Transient Response page shows more analysis of the relationship between the transient response of a discrete-time system and the locations of the dominant poles.

Function

The Function page gives an introduction on how to write your own functions in MATLAB. Links to files containing functions written for Controls to Tutorials for MATLAB are provided.

Lagging Effect Associated with the Hold

This page discusses the time lag effect caused by using a zero-order hold with a discrete control system response.

Lead/Lag

The Lead and Lag Compensators page shows how to design continuous-time lead, lag, and lead-lag compensators in MATLAB using root locus and frequency response techniques.

Lsim

The Lsim page explains the MATLAB command lsim, which simulates the time response of a linear time invariant system (continuous-time or discrete-time) to arbitrary inputs and initial conditions.

M-files

The Introduction to M-files page describes how to use files called m-files or script files which contain MATLAB commands. M-files serve as MATLAB programs and MATLAB executes the commands exactly as if the commands had been executed at the MATLAB prompt.

Notch Filter

The Notch Filter page explains how to design a compensator that will place zeroes to approximately cancel lightly damped complex conjugate poles of a system with a resonance.

PID Bilinear Approximation

The PID Bilinear page shows how to design a discrete-time PID compensator using a bilinear transformation substitution for the Laplace variable in a continuous-time PID transfer function.

Plot

This page explains the basics of using MATLAB's plot command including how to plot different line styles and different colors. Other topics covered include the subplot command, changing the axes, and adding text to a plot.

Pole-Zero Cancellation

This page discusses the problem with attempting to cancel a right-half plane pole with a zero at the same location and shows why a designer should never do this.

Simulink Block Libraries

This page explains the functionality of the blocks appearing in the Sources, Sinks, Linear, Discrete, Nonlinear, and Connections Simulink Block Libraries.

Simulink Interaction with MATLAB

This page examines the three of the ways in which Simulink can interact with MATLAB. These are

Steady State Error

The Steady State Error page explains the concept of steady state error and how to calculate steady state error for various standard test inputs. The page covers relationship between system type (the number of free integrators) and the steady state error for the step, ramp, and parabolic test inputs. The page also shows how to design a compensator to reduce or eliminate steady state error.

Step

The Step page describes the use of the step command which is one of most useful functions in the MATLAB Control Systems Toolbox for control system design. The step command plots the response of a system represented in either transfer function, state space, or zero/pole format to a continuous or discrete step input.



Tutorials
MATLAB Basics | MATLAB Modeling | PID | Root Locus | Frequency Response | State Space | Digital Control | Simulink Basics | Simulink Modeling | Examples