Systems and Controls Midterm

What is a step response

Vary input from one constant value to another constant value (step input) and observe the resulting output

Draw a 1st order example of a step response (include the time constant in your picture)

What is the time constant of a system (the variable name AND what the time constant tells you)

Time constant is T and characterizes the time to reach 63% of the final value for a first-order system subjected to a step input

What is the frequency response and what is the primary graphical way to show it

Ratio of output to input amplitude as a function of input frequency, and phase versus frequency.

Show the frequency response with a Bode plot

What is bandwidth (why is it important)

Bandwidth is the frequency range for which a first-order system’s magnitude is constant and equals DC gain

How is bandwidth related to the time constant in a first-order system

BW = 1/T

Sketch a sample Bode plot for a 1st order system. Be sure to label key parts and features like basic shapes, how things line up, and known values