Design and Analog Implementation of Synchronization Controllers for Feedback Instruments’ Servo Trainer Modules

This paper describes the detailed implementation of synchronization controllers using operational amplifiers for the servo trainer modules manufactured by Feedback Instruments Inc. The existing curriculum provided along with these trainer modules lacks discussion and implementation on synchronization of servo systems. Synchronization of dynamical systems is of great significance and finds many applications in a diversity of disciplines. This work is directed to upgrade the curriculum of servo trainer modules with synchronization controllers such as proportional, proportional-integral, and state feedback controllers. Various plants’ states are read from the sensors on-board the servo trainers and provided to the controllers, which are implemented externally on breadboards. The controllers generate actuating signals which are fed to the servo trainer plants through the on-board motor amplifiers, thereby closing the feedback loop around the servo plants. The efficacy of the controllers is tested by exciting the master servo trainer system and recording the resulting master and slave servo trainer system trajectories through ESPIAL data acquisition software. It is experimentally found that the slave servo system follows the master servo system. In this way, synchronization of the master and slave servo plants is achieved. The proposed study will be a useful addition to the laboratory curriculum of linear control systems.