Controls - gain margin question

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of gain and phase margins for an uncompensated control system represented by a specific transfer function. Participants explore the implications of the phase response not crossing -180 degrees and how this affects the determination of gain margin, with a focus on Bode plots and stability criteria.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion about how to determine gain margin when the phase does not cross -180 degrees, suggesting that it may lead to an infinite gain margin.
  • Others argue that while the gain margin appears infinite in this theoretical case, real systems will have additional poles that cause the phase to eventually cross -180 degrees at a finite frequency.
  • One participant suggests extending the frequency plot to observe the phase approaching -180 degrees, questioning the implications for gain margin in that scenario.
  • There is a contention regarding the definition of gain margin, with some asserting it cannot be infinite unless the gain is absolute zero, while others maintain that the intuitive answer of infinite gain margin is valid in this context.
  • Several participants reference MATLAB tools for calculating stability margins, indicating practical approaches to the problem.
  • Disagreements arise about the relevance of gain being below 0 dB when discussing phase crossing -180 degrees, with some emphasizing its importance in determining gain margin.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the nature of gain margin in this scenario. There are competing views on whether the gain margin can be considered infinite and the implications of real-world systems on this theoretical discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations in their discussion, particularly regarding the assumptions made about the system's behavior and the idealized nature of the transfer function provided.

LTME
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Homework Statement


Find the Bode Plot, and the phase and gain margins for the uncompensated system.

Homework Equations


G = (3.6s+6)/(s(.1s^2+.7s+1))

The Attempt at a Solution


upload_2015-11-24_18-21-11.png


I understand the phase and gain margin ideas, but the gain margin hinges on the phase crossing -180 degrees, and in this case it never crosses. So am I doing something wrong here? If not, how do I find the gain margin in this case? Is it infinite? Thanks for any help.
 
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LTME said:

Homework Statement


Find the Bode Plot, and the phase and gain margins for the uncompensated system.

Homework Equations


G = (3.6s+6)/(s(.1s^2+.7s+1))

The Attempt at a Solution


View attachment 92373

I understand the phase and gain margin ideas, but the gain margin hinges on the phase crossing -180 degrees, and in this case it never crosses. So am I doing something wrong here? If not, how do I find the gain margin in this case? Is it infinite? Thanks for any help.
Phase margin is measured in degrees, and gain margin is measured in dB. What do you get for this problem for each?
 
The phase margin is approximately 46 degrees. The gain margin, on the other hand, is the gain needed to increase gain to 0 dB when phase is equal to -180 degrees. Well in this case, the Phase is never equal to -180 degrees so how do I establish the gain margin? That is the entire point of this posting. I don't understand how to find gain margin when the phase never crosses -180 degrees.
 
LTME said:
The phase margin is approximately 46 degrees. The gain margin, on the other hand, is the gain needed to increase gain to 0 dB when phase is equal to -180 degrees. Well in this case, the Phase is never equal to -180 degrees so how do I establish the gain margin? That is the entire point of this posting. I don't understand how to find gain margin when the phase never crosses -180 degrees.
If you extend the frequency plot out another decade or two, the phase should get pretty close to -180 degrees. You have a good point about what is the gain margin if the phase asymptotically approaches -180 degrees with the gain still falling...
 
Yes - this leads to the intuitive - but unrealistic - answer: The gain margin is infinite.
This applies to the given function - however, one should know that each real system will exhibit additional poles and, hence, the phase will cross the 180 deg line ar a finite frequency.
 
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By the way, in MATLAB with Bode plots you can left click the plot, press characteristics, and click show all stability margins to get your gain and phase margins.
 
LvW said:
Yes - this leads to the intuitive - but unrealistic - answer: The gain margin is infinite.
This applies to the given function - however, one should know that each real system will exhibit additional poles and, hence, the phase will cross the 180 deg line ar a finite frequency.
Doen't matter if the gain is below 0dB at that point.
 
rude man said:
Doen't matter if the gain is below 0dB at that point.

The question was about the gain margin (and not if it "matters").
 
LvW said:
The question was about the gain margin (and not if it "matters").
It does not "matter" so long as the gain is < 0 dB when the phase hits -180 deg or intreger multiples of +/-180 deg.
 
  • #10
LvW said:
Yes - this leads to the intuitive - but unrealistic - answer: The gain margin is infinite.
This applies to the given function - however, one should know that each real system will exhibit additional poles and, hence, the phase will cross the 180 deg line ar a finite frequency.
No such thing as "infinite gain margin" unless the gain is absolute zero (-∞dB). The gain margin is the number of dB below 0 dB when the phase shift is an integer number of π. It can never be infinite unless you have a short circuit!
 
  • #11
rude man said:
No such thing as "infinite gain margin" unless the gain is absolute zero (-∞dB). The gain margin is the number of dB below 0 dB when the phase shift is an integer number of π. It can never be infinite unless you have a short circuit!

rude man, if you read my answer carefully, you will notice that I spoke in my post#5 about an "unrealistic" case which never will happen.
I am familiar with the stability criterion (general and simplified form) and the definition of the stability margins.

rude man said:
It does not "matter" so long as the gain is < 0 dB when the phase hits -180 deg or intreger multiples of +/-180 deg.

But the title of this thread is "gain margin question" . Therefore, the value of the loop gain <0 dB matters because it gives the margin, OK?
 

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