An interactive approach to the analysis and design of control systems using the root locus method

The root locus is a classic method for the analysis and design of linear control systems that has been part of the basic automatic control course programs since its inception in the 1950s. The emergence of interactive control system design software tools, which easily draw the root locus, allows teachers to focus on explaining how the introduction of new poles / zeros in the loop transfer function affects the root locus. open, rather than explaining its building rules. This work presents a new teaching methodology to introduce the root locus technique in basic control courses that encourages the use of an interactive tool, such as the LCSD tool developed by the authors.