
Chapter 2 Introduction to SISO Design
© National Instruments Corporation 2-3 Xmath Interactive Control Design Module
• The closed-loop transfer function T is given by T=PC/(1+ PC). T is 
the transfer function from r to y.
• The characteristic polynomial of the system is defined as 
X=ncnp+dcdp. Its degree is equal to the order of the plant 
plusthe order of the controller.
• The closed-loop poles are the zeros of the characteristic polynomial. 
This definition avoids any problem with unstable pole-zero 
cancellations between the plant and controller. The closed-loop zeros 
are the zeros of ncnp.
• The output response to a unit step input (or just, the step response), 
is the step response of the transfer function T; that is, the response of 
y when the command input r is a unit step.
• The actuator step response is the step response of the transfer function 
C/(1 + PC), which is the transfer function from r to u.
• Integral action means that the controller C has a pole at s=0. Roughly 
speaking, this means that the loop gain is very large at low frequencies. 
Integral action implies that S(0)= 0, so if r is constant, the error e 
converges to zero, that is, the output y(t) approaches r as t→∞.
 Overview of ICDMThis section provides a broad overview of the architecture, concepts, and 
major functions of ICDM, restricting our discussion to the case of SISO 
plants and controllers. This section also provides a summary of how ICDM 
works and what it does.
ICDM Windows
ICDM supports many windows that serve a variety of functions. The most 
important windows are:
•ICDM Main window
• PID Synthesis window
• Root Locus Synthesis window
• Pole Place Synthesis window
• LQG Synthesis window 
•H∞ Synthesis window
• History window
• Alternate Plant window