Block Diagrams

BIOE 4200
 Interpreting block diagrams
 Block diagrams are used as schematic
representations of mathematical models
 The various pieces correspond to
mathematical entities
 Can be rearranged to help simplify the
equations used to model the system
 We will focus on one type of schematic
diagram – feedback control systems
 Variables
 Variables are represented by arrows in block
diagrams
 Variables correspond to a physical and
measurable quantity
– Example: suppose you’re modeling a process for
producing a dye for clothing
– You must have a way of quantifying the dye color!
 Variables must have physical units
– Actual speed units are MPH or km/hr
– Blood glucose units are mg/dl
 Physical units
 Determining the physical units of some quantities is
not a trivial task!
 Example - setting the desired speed in the cruise
control system
 This is actually an electrical signal in volts, but can
we still call it MPH?
 It depends on what you’re looking at – how the
vehicle speed will vary on a steep slope vs. the
function of the cruise control electronics
 What is the physical signal that encodes desired
blood glucose levels in a and b cells?
 Processes
 Processes are represented by the blocks in block
diagrams:
variable variable
Process

 Processes must have at least one input variable and

at least one output variable
 Reclassify processes without input or output:

Input Output
variable variable
 Processes
 Most processes transform units:

Accelerator Engine
depth (deg) speed (rpm)
Engine

glucagon
(mg/dl) Glucose
(mg/sec)
insulin Tissues
(mg/dl)
 Processes
 Processes can encompass sub-processes
 A system is just a process w/ sub-processes!

Actual Measured
a & b cells a & b cells Glucagon
glucose glucose
measure release Insulin
glucose hormones

Actual
Glucagon
glucose a & b cell
process Insulin
 Measurement Processes
 Processes that measure system outputs are
called sensors
 Input is physical property (MPH, mg/dl, etc.)
 Output is electrical or mechanical signal
 Typically model output to have units of input

Actual Measured
speed Speedo- speed
meter
 Feedback Control Systems
 Many systems measure their output and use this
measurement to control system behavior
 This is known as feedback control – the output is “fed
back” into the system
 The summing junction is a special process that
compares the input and the feedback
 Inputs to summing junction must have same units!

input process output

sensor
 Generic Feedback Control System
 Input is the output we want the system to have
 Summing junction subtracts the measured output
from the desired output, difference is error signal
 Controller acts based on magnitude of error signal
 Actuator provides external power to system and
effects changes based on controller output
 Plant is the process we are trying to control

desired
controller actuator plant output
output

sensor
 Generic Feedback Control System
 This is a general model, and may not be the same for
every feedback control system
 Systems can have additional inputs known as
disturbances into or between processes
 Can combine processes; typically controller and
actuator are combined
 Describe and draw schematic, then recast your
model into this form if possible
desired
controller actuator plant output
output

sensor
 Cruise Control System Revisited
 input: desired speed
 output: actual speed
 error: desired speed minus
measured speed
 disturbance: wind, hills, etc.
 controller: cruise control unit
 actuator: engine
 plant: vehicle dynamics
 sensor: speedometer
wind,
hills

desired cruise actual

engine vehicle
speed control speed

speedo-
meter
 Glucose Regulation Revisited
 input: desired blood glucose
 output: actual blood glucose
 error: desired minus
measured blood glucose
 disturbance: eating, fasting,
etc.
 controller: a and b cells
 actuator: glucose storing or
releasing tissues
 plant: glucose metabolism
 sensor: a and b cells (again)
eating,
fasting

desired a&b glucose glucose actual

glucose cells tissues metabol. glucose

a&b
cells
 Thermostat Example
 Set thermostat to desired room temperature
 Thermostat measures room temperature
 Furnace or AC turn on if measured <> desired
 Air from furnace or AC changes room air temperature
external
air

desired thermo- furnace actual

room air
temp. stat or AC temp.

thermo-
stat
 Toilet Flush Example
 Float height determines desired water level
 Flush empties tank, float is lowered and valve opens
 Open valve allows water to enter tank
 Float returns to desired level and valve closes

flush

desired water actual

float valve
level tank level

float