What is the relationship between feedback and topology in control systems?

[thrillhouse86]

Hi All,

In my control systems lectures my professor talks about feedback changing the 'topology' of the system.

Is he just talking about the structure of the block diagram changing, or is there some link to the topology which mathematicians refer to

Regards,
Thrillhouse86

 

[HallsofIvy]

Yes, he is talking about the structure of the block diagram. I suspect that the "topology" he is talking about is just the basic "connectivity" of the situation (a very specific type of topology).