Phase-plane analysis of automatic control systems with nonlinear gain elements

journal article
Published by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in Transactions of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, Part II: Applications and Industry

Vol. 73 (6) , 383-390
https://doi.org/10.1109/tai.1955.6367086

Abstract

This paper develops a unified method of transient analysis of second-order feedback control systems having nonlinear gain components and subjected to step or ramp inputs. Essentially, the technique is a decomposition of the phase plane into linear regions within which trajectories converge to corresponding critical points. Application of the method to several typical problems previously analyzed by other means shows that considerably more insight may be obtained.

Keywords

TRAJECTORY
EQUATIONS
TRANSIENT ANALYSIS
NONLINEAR SYSTEMS
LINEAR SYSTEMS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
APPROXIMATION METHODS