FEEDBACK THEORY

Feedback theory is fundamental to all engineering disciplines, from electronics,

central heating, weather systems, biological systems, chemical engineering to
engine management systems. If you go to University for any engineering and
science discipline, you will need to understand the basics of feedback.

Feedback block diagram

E C
R +_ G

B
H

R: Input signal representing the 'demand' or 'set value'.

C: Output signal representing the output value being controlled.

B: Feedback signal in proportion to output value R.

E: Error signal, used to drive the forward path element to correct the output.

G: Forward path element typically with high gain or drive.

H: Feedback element that measures the output and feeds back a signal in
proportion to output.

+ Summing junction, or comparator. Subtracts bottom signal from

_the left signal.

We can assume the elements G and H are 'amplifiers' and C, R, B and E are
signals.

The gain of the feedback element H is usually between 1 (100%) and 0.01 (1%).

The gain of the forward path element is typically much greater than 100 and in
electronics greater than 106.

We will now derive an equation for the whole 'negative feedback system'.

Starting at the output signal, the feedback signal is C.H

The output from the comparator is R ̶ C.H

G.S Donald 30 October 2010

The output from the forward path is (R ̶ C.H)G this equation is also equal to C the
output signal.

We require the overall gain of the 'negative feedback system, and we need to
transpose the above for the gain expression output/input = C/R

Do it here now:

Example 1

1) For a forward path gain of G = 106, determine the overall system gain for the
following feedback proportions:

(a) H = 0.1

(b) H = 0.2

(c) H = 0.5

(d) H = 1

2) What do you notice about the relationship between the overall system gain
and the value of B the feedback factor?

3) If the forward path element were to fail and its gain drops 1000 times lower,
determine the overall gains again as in 1) (a) (b) (c) and (d).

Example 2

Assuming an electronic voltage amplifier has a gain of 107, what feedback

element gain H would be required if the required overall gain is 20.

Example 3

Design the amplifier given in Example 2 above

Vin +
G = 107 Vout
̶
R2

H = ????

G.S Donald 30 October 2010

 R1

0v

EFFECTS OF FEEDBACK
We have seen that 'negative feedback' can control accurately the gain of a
designed system. The whole gain is determined only by the feedback element
'H'.

If the feedback element has very stable value then the overall system will have a
stable value, even if the forward path element gain increases or decreases
dramatically! But why?

C = G Now if GH >>1
R 1 + GH

Then C ≈ G = 1 The reciprocal of the system

gain!
R GH H

Usually the feedback element is a simple component; if it is accurate and stable

then the overall system gain is accurate and stable and will be determined only
by this feedback element H.

The term (1 + GH) is called the 'loop gain' and reduces the forward path gain G
by this value.

We can show that the noise generated in the forward path element G is also
reduced by the loop gain making it much quieter in operation.

Again the distortion levels are also reduced by the loop gain value.

The input and output resistances of the original forward path can either be
increased or decreased by appropriate feedback technique.

The following table describes all the effects obtained in an electronic amplifier:

Feedb
Input Output
ack Closed Paramet
impedanc impedanc Noise Distortion
Struct loop gain er used
e e
ure
Current
Rin/(1+GH) Rout(1+GH) N/(1+GH) D/(1+GH) h-
sampling- G/1+GH
decreases increases decreases decreases parameter
shunt fed

G.S Donald 30 October 2010

Current
sampling- Rin(1+GH) Rout(1+GH) N/(1+GH) D/(1+GH) z-
G/1+GH
Series increases increases decreases decreases parameter
fed
Voltage
Rin/(1+GH) Rout/(1+GH) N/(1+GH) D/(1+GH) y-
sampling- G/1+GH
decreases decreases decreases decreases parameter
Shunt fed
Voltage
sampling- Rin(1+GH) Rout/(1+GH) N/(1+GH) D/(1+GH) g-
G/1+GH
Series increases decreases decreases decreases parameter
fed
When designing an amplifier around a bipolar transistor, we need to 'improve' its
characteristics, typically with bipolar transistors we use the h-parameter model,
for the common emitter connection:

• hie – The input impedance of the transistor (corresponding to the emitter

resistance re).
• hre – Represents the dependence of the transistor's IB–VBE curve on the
value of VCE. It is usually very small and is often neglected (assumed to be
zero).
• hfe – The current-gain of the transistor. This parameter is often specified as
hFE or the DC current-gain (βDC) in datasheets.
• hoe – The output impedance of transistor. This term is usually specified as
an admittance and has to be inverted to convert it to an impedance.

Example 4:

1) Using the h-parameter model with the typical values hie = 3kΩ, hoe =
100kΩ, hfe = 200 and a feedback factor of 0.2, find the following overall
characteristics of the overall system gain:

(a) The system input resistance.

(b) The system output resistance.

(c) The system overall gain (approximate and accurate).

(d) The reduction in noise of the system.

(e) The reduction in distortion of the system.

Example 5:

G.S Donald 30 October 2010

1) Using the g-parameter model list the expected changes to the
characteristics of an operational amplifier integrated circuit with gie =
3kΩ, goe = 100kΩ and gfe = 105.

2) What model would you use if you needed a low input resistance and a
low output resistance?

G.S Donald 30 October 2010