Benha University Electrical Engineering Department

Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

Chapter # 4 Signal Flow Graph (SFG)

After completing this chapter, the students will be able to:

• Convert block diagrams to signal-flow graph,

• Find the transfer function of multiple subsystems using Mason’s rule,
1. Introduction
For complex control systems, the block diagram reduction technique is difficult. An
alternative method for determining the relationship between system variables has
been developed by Samuel Jefferson Mason (1953) and is based on a signal flow
graph. The block diagram reduction technique requires successive application of
fundamental relationships (Cascade, Parallel and/or Canonical) in order to arrive at
the system transfer function. On the other hand, Mason’s rule for reducing a signal-
flow graph to a single transfer function requires the application of one formula.
A signal flow graph is a diagram that consists of nodes that are connected by
branches. A node is assigned to each variable of interest in the system, and branches
are used to relate the different variables. The main advantage for using SFG is that a
straight forward procedure is available for finding the transfer function in which it is

1 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

not necessary to move pickoff point around or to redraw the system several times as
with block diagram manipulations. Moreover, Mason’s formula has several
components that must be evaluated first.
SFG is a diagram that represents a set of simultaneous linear algebraic equations
which describe a system. Let us consider an equation, 𝑦 = 𝑎 𝑥. It may be represented
graphically as,

2. Terminology

Node: A point that denoting a variable or a signal. (e.g. R(s), C(s), V1(s), …)
Branch: A unidirectional path that joining two Nodes. Relation between variables is
written next to the directional arrow. (e.g. G1(s), G2(s), H1(s), …)
Forward Path: A continuous sequence of branches that can be traversed from input
node to the output node without touching any node twice.
e.g. G1(s) G2(s) G3(s) G4(s) G5(s) G7(s) & G1(s) G2(s) G3(s) G4(s) G6(s) G7(s)
Loop: A closed path that originates at one node and terminates at the same node.
Along the loop, no node is touched twice.
e.g. G2(s)H1(s), G4(s)H2(s), G4(s)G5(s)H3(s), G4(s)G6(s)H3(s)
Non-Touching Loops: Loops with no common nodes and/or branches
e.g. G2(s)H1(s) & G4(s)H2(s), G2(s)H1(s) & G4(s)G5(s)H3(s), G2(s)H1(s) & G4(s)G6(s)H3(s)
Input node (Source): node having only outgoing branches (e.g. R(s))

2 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

Output node (Sink): node having only incoming branches (e.g. C(s))
Mixed node: A node that has both incoming and outgoing branches. (e.g. V2(s))
3. Construction of SFG from D.E.
SFG of a single input system can be constructed from the describing equations:
x2 = a12 x1 + a32 x3
x3 = a13 x1 + a23 x2 + a33 x3
x4 = a24 x4 + a34 x3

SFG of a multi input system can be constructed from the describing equations:
𝑋1 = 𝑎11 𝑋1 + 𝑎12 𝑋2 + 𝑅1
𝑋2 = 𝑎21 𝑋1 + 𝑎22 𝑋2 + 𝑅2

Example (1):
Construct SFG of the system described by the following equations; where R is input
& C is output and x1, x2, and x3 are the system nodes.
𝑥1 = 𝑅 + 7𝑥1 + 2𝑥2 + 5𝑥3
𝑥2 = −6𝑥1 + 4𝑥2 + 8𝑥3
𝑥3 = 3𝑥1 − 9𝑥2 + 6𝑥3
𝐶 = 2𝑥1 + 𝑥2 + 3𝑥3

3 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

5 1

2 8
1 X1 X3 3
R C
-6 X2 -9
4
7 6
3
On the other hand, the signal flow graph can be given and the student is asked to
obtain the system equations.

4. SFG from Block Diagram

4 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

Example (2):
Draw the DFG from the block diagram given below.

Choose the nodes to represent the variables say 1, 2, .. 5 as shown in the block
diagram above. Connect the nodes with appropriate gain along the branch. The signal
flow graph is shown below.

5. Mason’s Formula to Calculate Transfer Function

𝑁
𝑃𝑘 ∆𝑘
𝑇. 𝐹 = ∑
∆
𝑘=1

Where: N is the number of forward paths from input to output

Pk is the gain of the kth path from input to output
Δk is the sub-determinant corresponds the kth path from input to output
Δ is the main determinant of the control system

The main determinate (Δ) can be calculated as:

5 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

∆= 1 − ∑ 𝐺𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑝

+ ∑ 𝐺𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 2 𝑛𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑝𝑠

− ∑ 𝐺𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 3 𝑛𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑝𝑠

+ ∑ 𝐺𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 4 𝑛𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑝𝑠 − … 𝑒𝑡𝑐

The sub-determinate (Δk) can be calculated as:

∆𝑘 = 1 − ∑ 𝐺𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑝 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠𝑛′ 𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑃𝑘

+ ∑ 𝐺𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 2 𝑛𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑝𝑠 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠𝑛′ 𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑃𝑘

− ∑ 𝐺𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 3 𝑛𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑝𝑠 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠𝑛′ 𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑃𝑘

+ ∑ 𝐺𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 4 𝑛𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑝𝑠 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠𝑛′ 𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑃𝑘

Example (3):
Using Mason’s formula, calculate the T.F. Y(s)/X(s)
G8
G7

X(s) 1 G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 1 Y(s)

-H4 -H1
-H2

-H3
-H3

-H3

6 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

Example (4):
Find the T.F. Y(s)/X(s)

Example (5):
Using Mason's Formula, Find the T.F. Y(s)/X(s)

7 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

Example (6):
Using Mason's Formula, Find the T.F. C(s)/R(s)

In this system there is only one forward path between the input R(s) and the output
C(s). The forward path gain is

we see that there are three individual loops. The gains of these loops are

8 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

Note that since all three loops have a common branch, there are no non-touching
loops. Hence, the determinant Δ is given by

The cofactor Δ l of the determinant along the forward path connecting the input node
and output node is obtained from Δ by removing the loops that touch this path. Since
path P1 touches all three loops, we obtain
Δ1 = 1
Therefore, the overall gain between the input R(s) and the output C(s), or the closed-
loop transfer function, is given by

Example (7):
Using Mason's Formula, Find the T.F. C(s)/R(s)

Example (8):
Using Mason's Formula, Find the T.F. C(s)/R(s)

9 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

In this system, there are three forward paths between the input R(s) and the output
C(s). The forward path gains are

There are four individual loops, the gains of these loops are

Loop L1 does not touch loop L2; Hence, the determinant Δ is given by

The cofactor Δ1, is obtained from Δ by removing the loops that touch path PI.
Therefore, by removing L1, L2, L3, L4, and L1, L2 from Δ equation, we obtain
Δ1 = Δ2 =1
The cofactor Δ3 is obtained by removing L2, L3, L4, and L1, L2 from Δ Equation,
giving
Δ3 = 1- L1
The closed-loop transfer function

Example (9):
Consider the control system whose signal flow graph is shown below. Determine the
system transfer function using Mason’s formula.

10 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

* There are SIX Forward Paths:

* There are THREE feedback loops:

* There are ONE combination of two-non-touching feedback loops:

P12 = H1 H 2G4G5

3 = 4 = 5 = 6 = 1
Using Mason's Formula, the system Transfer Function is:
P11 + P2  2 + P33 + P4  4 + P5 5 + P6  6
T=


Example (10):
For the signal flow graph of a certain control system shown below, find the system
characteristic equation.

11 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

The characteristic equation obtained from mason's formula is =0

Loop Gains Two non-touching Loops Three non-touching Loops

𝐿1 𝐿3 = 𝐺2 𝐺4 𝐻1 𝐻3
𝐿1 𝐿4 = 𝐺2 𝐺7 𝐻1 𝐻4 𝐿1 𝐿3 𝐿4 = −𝐺2 𝐺4 𝐺7 𝐻1 𝐻3 𝐻4
𝐿1 𝐿5 = 𝐺2 𝐺8 𝐻1 𝐻5 𝐿1 𝐿3 𝐿5 = −𝐺2 𝐺4 𝐺8 𝐻1 𝐻3 𝐻5
𝐿1 = −𝐺2 𝐻1
𝐿1 𝐿6 = 𝐺2 𝐺9 𝐻1 𝐻6 𝐿1 𝐿3 𝐿6 = −𝐺2 𝐺4 𝐺9 𝐻1 𝐻3 𝐻6
𝐿2 = −𝐺3 𝐻2
𝐿2 𝐿4 = 𝐺3 𝐺7 𝐻2 𝐻4 𝐿1 𝐿4 𝐿6 = −𝐺2 𝐺7 𝐺9 𝐻1 𝐻4 𝐻6
𝐿3 = −𝐺4 𝐻3
𝐿2 𝐿5 = 𝐺3 𝐺8 𝐻2 𝐻5 𝐿2 𝐿4 𝐿6 = −𝐺3 𝐺7 𝐺9 𝐻2 𝐻4 𝐻6
𝐿4 = −𝐺7 𝐻4
𝐿2 𝐿6 = 𝐺3 𝐺9 𝐻2 𝐻9 𝐿3 𝐿4 𝐿6 = −𝐺4 𝐺7 𝐺9 𝐻3 𝐻4 𝐻6
𝐿5 = −𝐺8 𝐻5
𝐿3 𝐿4 = 𝐺4 𝐺7 𝐻3 𝐻4
𝐿6 = −𝐺9 𝐻6
𝐿3 𝐿5 = 𝐺4 𝐺8 𝐻3 𝐻5 Four non-touching Loops
𝐿3 𝐿6 = 𝐺4 𝐺9 𝐻3 𝐻6 𝐿1 𝐿3 𝐿4 𝐿6 = 𝐺2 𝐺4 𝐺7 𝐺9 𝐻1 𝐻3 𝐻4 𝐻6
𝐿4 𝐿6 = 𝐺7 𝐺9 𝐻4 𝐻6
∆ = 1 − {𝐿1 + 𝐿2 + 𝐿3 + 𝐿4 + 𝐿5 + 𝐿6 }
+ {𝐿1 𝐿3 + 𝐿1 𝐿4 + 𝐿1 𝐿5 + 𝐿1 𝐿6 + +𝐿2 𝐿4 + 𝐿2 𝐿5 + 𝐿2 𝐿6 + 𝐿3 𝐿4
+ 𝐿3 𝐿5 + 𝐿3 𝐿6 + 𝐿4 𝐿6 }
− {𝐿1 𝐿3 𝐿4 + 𝐿1 𝐿3 𝐿5 + 𝐿1 𝐿3 𝐿6 + 𝐿1 𝐿4 𝐿6 + 𝐿2 𝐿4 𝐿6 + 𝐿3 𝐿4 𝐿6 }
+ {𝐿1 𝐿3 𝐿4 𝐿6 } = 0
Example (11):
Consider the control system whose signal flow graph is shown below. Determine the
system transfer function using Mason’s formula.
12 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein
 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

* There are TWO Forward Paths:

P1= G1G2G3G4G5
P2=G6
* There are EIGHT feedback loops:
L1= - G2H1 L2= - G3H2
L3= - G4H3 L4= - G2H4
L5= - G3H5 L6= - G4H6
L7= - G6H7 L8= - G1G2G3G4G5H7
* There are TEN two-non-touching feedback loops:
L1L3 = G2G4H1H3 L1L6 = G2G4H1H6
L1L7 = G2G6H1H7 L2L7 = G3G6H2H7
L3L4 = G2G4H3H4 L3L7 = G4G6H3H7
L4L6 = G2G4H4H6 L4L7 = G2G6H4H7
L5L7 = G3G6H5H7 L6L7 = G4G6H6H7
* There are FOUR three-non-touching feedback loops:
L1L3L7 = - G2G4G6 H1H3H7 L1L6L7 = - G2G4G6H1H6H7
L3L4L7 = - G2G4G6H3H4H7 L4L6L7 = - G2G4G6H4H6H7
Δ = 1 + {G2H1+G3H2+G4H3+G2H4+G3H5+G4H6+G6H7+G1G2G3G4G5H7}+{
G2G4H1H3+G2G4H1H6+G2G6H1H7+G3G6H2H7+G2G4H3H4+G4G6H3H7+
G2G4H4H6+G2G6H4H7+G3G6H5H7+G4G6H6H7}+{G2G4G6H1H3H7+
G2G4G6H1H6H7+G2G4G6H3H4H7+G2G4G6H4H6H7}
Δ1 = 1
Δ2 = 1 + {G2H1+G3H2+G4H3+G2H4+G3H5+G4H6}+{ G2G4H1H3+G2G4H1H6
+G2G4H3H4+ G2G4H4H6}

13 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

Using Mason's Formula, the system Transfer Function is:

𝑌(𝑆)
𝑅(𝑆)
G1G2G3G4G5 + G6{1 + {G2H1 + G3H2 + G4H3 + G2H4 + G3H5 + G4H6} + { G2G4H1H3 + G2G4H1H6 + G2G4H3H4 + G2G4H4H6}}
=
1 + {G2H1 + G3H2 + G4H3 + G2H4 + G3H5 + G4H6 + G6H7 + G1G2G3G4G5H7} + { G2G4H1H3 + G2G4H1H6 + G2G6H1H7 + G3G6H2H7 + G2G4H3H4 +
G4G6H3H7 + G2G4H4H6 + G2G6H4H7 + G3G6H5H7 + G4G6H6H7} + {G2G4G6H1H3H7 + G2G4G6H1H6H7 + G2G4G6H3H4H7 + G2G4G6H4H6H7}

Example (12):
For the control system whose signal flow graph is shown below, using Mason’s formula,
find the system transfer function Y(s)/R(s).

̶ H2
̶ H1 G5

R(S) 1 G3 G4 1 Y(S)
G1 G2

G6 ̶ H3 ̶ H4 G8 G9

G7

Forward paths
P1= G1G2G3G4 P2= G1G2G5
P3= G1G2G9 P4= G6G7G8G3G4
P5= G6G7G8G5 P6= G6G7G8G9
Feedback Loops:
L1 = − G6H3 L2 = − G8H4
L3 = − G1G2 H1 L4 = − G6G7 G8 H1
L5 = − G1G2 G3G4 H2 L6 = − G1G2 G5H2
L7 = − G1G2 G9 H2 L8 = − G6G7 G8G3G4 H2
L9 = − G6G7 G8G5 H2 L10 = − G6G7 G8G9 H2
Two non-touching Feedback Loops:
L1L2 = G6G8H3H4
Δ1= Δ2= Δ3= Δ4= Δ5= Δ6= 1

14 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

Δ = 1+{ G6H3+ G8H4+ G1G2 H1+ G6G7 G8 H1+ G1G2 G3G4 H2+ G1G2 G5H2+ G1G2 G9 H2 +
G6G7 G8G3G4 H2 + G6G7 G8G5 H2 + G6G7 G8G9 H2}+ G6G8H3H4

𝑌(𝑆) 𝑃1 ∆1 + 𝑃2 ∆2 + 𝑃3 ∆3 + 𝑃4 ∆4 + 𝑃5 ∆5 + 𝑃6 ∆6
=
𝑅(𝑆) ∆
Example (13):
For the control system whose signal flow graph is shown below, using Mason’s formula,
find the system transfer function Y(s)/R(s).

̶ H1 G9
̶ H2

R(S) 1 G3 G4 1 Y(S)
G1 G2

̶ H3 ̶ H4
G5
G7 G8
G6

Forward Paths:
P1 = G1 G2 G3 G4 P2 = G5 G6 G3 G4
P3 = G1 G2 G7 G8 P4 = G5 G6 G7 G8
P5 = G9

Feedback Loops
L1 = - G5 H3 L2 = - G7 H4
L3 = - G1 G2 H1 L4 = - G3 G4 H2
L5 = - G5 G6 H1 L6 = - G7 G8 H2
L7 = G9 H2 H1

Two non-touching Loops

L1 L2 = G5 H3 G7 H4
L1 L4 = G5 H3 G3 G4 H2
L1 L6 = G5 H3 G7 G8 H2
1 = 2 = 3 = 4 = 1
5 = 1 + G7 H4
 = 1 – {L1+L2+L3+L4+L5+L6+L7} + {L1 L2 + L1 L4 + L1 L6}

Using Mason's formula

15 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein
 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

𝐶(𝑆) 𝑃1∆1 + 𝑃2∆2 + 𝑃3∆3 + 𝑃4∆4 + 𝑃5∆5

=
𝑅(𝑆) ∆
Example (14):
For the control system whose signal flow graph is shown in Fig. 1, using Mason’s
formula, find the system transfer function.
G7 G6

R(S 1 G3 G4 1 Y(S
G1 G2
) )

̶ H1 ̶ H2 ̶ H3 ̶ H4

̶ H7 ̶ H5 ̶ H6

G5
Forward paths:
P1 = G1 G2 G3 G4 P2 = G7 G6
P3 = G1 G2 G6 P4 = G7 G3 G4

Feedback Loops:
L1 = ̶ G1 H1 L6 = G6 H3 H4
L2 = ̶ G2 H2 L7 = G7 H1 H2
L3 = ̶ G3 H3 L8 = ̶ G1 G2 G3 G4 H6 H5 H7
L4 = ̶ G4 H4 L9 = ̶ G7 G6 H6 H5 H7
L5 = ̶ G5 H5 L10 = ̶ G1 G2 G6 H6 H5 H7
L11 = ̶ G7 G3 G4 H6 H5 H7
Two non-touching feedback loops:
L1L3 = G1 G3 H1 H3 L2L5 = G2 G5 H2 H5
L1L4 = G1 G4 H1 H4 L3L5 = G3 G5 H3 H5
L1L5 = G1 G5 H1 H5 L4L5 = G4 G5 H4 H5
L1 L6 = ̶ G1 G6 H1 H3 H4 L4L7 = ̶ G4 G7 H4 H1 H2
L2L4 = G2 G4 H2 H4 L5 L6 = ̶ G5 G6 H5 H3 H4
L5L7 = ̶ G5 G7 H5 H1 H2
Three non-touching feedback loops:

16 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

L1L3L5 = ̶ G1 G3 G5 H1 H3 H5 L1L4L5 = ̶ G1 G4 G5 H1 H4 H5
L1L5L6 = G1 G5 G6 H1 H5 H3 H4 L2L4L5 = ̶ G2 G4 G5 H2 H4 H5
L4L5L7 = G4 G5 G7 H4 H5 H1 H2

Δ = 1 ̶ { L1 + L2 + L3 + L4 + L5 + L6 + L7 + L8 + L9 + L10 + L11 } + { L1L3 +

L1L4 + L1L5 + L1L6 + L2L4 + L2L5 + L3L5 + L4L5 + L4L7 + L5L6 +
L5L7 } ̶ { L1L3L5 + L1L4L5 + L1L5L6 + L2L4L5 + L4L5L7 }
Δ1 = Δ2 = Δ3 = Δ4 = 1 ̶ {L5} = 1 + G5 H5
The system transfer function is obtained by Mason’s formula as follows:
Y(S)/R(S) = { P1Δ1 + P2Δ2 + P3Δ3 + P4Δ4 } / Δ
Example (15):
For the control system whose signal flow graph is shown below, using Mason’s formula,
find the system transfer function Y(s)/R(s).

̶ H2
̶ H1 G5

R(S) 1 G3 G4 1 Y(S)
G1 G2

G6 ̶ H3 ̶ H4 G8 G9

G7

Forward paths
P1= G1G2G3G4 P2= G1G2G5
P3= G1G2G9 P4= G6G7G8G3G4
P5= G6G7G8G5 P6= G6G7G8G9
Feedback Loops:
L1 = − G6H3 L2 = − G8H4
L3 = − G1G2 H1 L4 = − G6G7 G8 H1
L5 = − G1G2 G3G4 H2 L6 = − G1G2 G5H2
L7 = − G1G2 G9 H2 L8 = − G6G7 G8G3G4 H2
L9 = − G6G7 G8G5 H2 L10 = − G6G7 G8G9 H2
Two non-touching Feedback Loops:

17 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

L1L2 = G6G8H3H4
Δ1= Δ2= Δ3= Δ4= Δ5= Δ6= 1
Δ = 1+{ G6H3+ G8H4+ G1G2 H1+ G6G7 G8 H1+ G1G2 G3G4 H2+ G1G2 G5H2+ G1G2 G9 H2 +
G6G7 G8G3G4 H2 + G6G7 G8G5 H2 + G6G7 G8G9 H2}+ G6G8H3H4
𝑌(𝑆) 𝑃1 ∆1 + 𝑃2 ∆2 + 𝑃3 ∆3 + 𝑃4 ∆4 + 𝑃5 ∆5 + 𝑃6 ∆6
=
𝑅(𝑆) ∆
Example (16):
Using Mason's formula, find the transfer function of the control system shown below.
̶ H5
̶ H6
̶ H3 ̶ H4

R(S) 1 G3 G4 1 Y(S)
G1 G2

̶ H1 ̶ H2 G5
G6

* There are THREE Forward Paths:

P1 = G1G2G3G4, P2 = G1G2G5, P3 = G6,
* There are ELEVEN feedback loops:
L1 = - G1 H1; L2 = - G2 H2;
L3 = - G3 H3; L4 = - G4 H4;
L5 = G5 H4 H1; L6 = - G1 G2 H6;
L7 = - G1G2G3G4H5; L8 = - G1G2G5H5;
L9 = - G6H5; L10 = - G6H4H3H6;
L11 = G6H4H3H2H1;
* There are SEVEN combination of two-non-touching feedback loops:
L1L3 = G1 H1 G3 H3 L1L4 = G1 H1 G4 H4
L1L5 = - G1 H1 G5 H4 H1 L2L4 = G2 H2 G4 H4
L2L9 = G2 H2 G6H5 L3L9 = G3 H3 G6H5
L4L6 = G4 H4 G1 G2 H6

18 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

1 = 2 = 1
3 = 1 - [L2 + L3] = 1 + G2 H2 + G3 H3
 = 1 - {L1 + L2 + L3 + ... + L11} + {L1L3 + L1L4 + L1L5 + ...+ L4L6}
Using Mason's Formula, the system Transfer Function is:
𝑌(𝑆) 𝑃1 ∆1 + 𝑃2 ∆2 + 𝑃3 ∆3
=
𝑅(𝑆) ∆
Example (17):
Consider the control system shown below, draw the corresponding signal flow
graph, and obtain the closed–loop transfer function using Mason’s gain formula.
+ +
G1(s) G2(s) G3(s) G4(s)
+ +

R(s) H2(s) H3(s) C(s)

+
+

+ +
G5(s) G6(s) G7(s) G8(s)
+ +

H6(s) H7(s)

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 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

Example (18):

20 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

Forward paths:
P1 = ABCDEFGHIJ = 7×2×˗5×-4 = 280
P2 = ABCDEFIJ = 7×2×6 = 84
P3 = ABEFGHIJ = 5×-5×-4 = 100
P4 = ABEFIJ = 5×6 = 30
P5 = ABGHIJ = 2×-4 = -8
P6 = ABCDIJ = 7×9 = 63
P7 = ABGHCDIJ = 2×9 = 18
P8 = ABGHCDEFIJ = 2×2×6 = 24
P9 = ABGHEFIJ = 2×-6×6 = -72
P10 = ABEFCDIJ = 5×-3×9 = -135
P11 = ABEFGHCDIJ = 5×-5×9 = -225
P12 = ABGHEFCDIJ = 2×-6×-3×9 = 324
Loops:
L1 = CDC = -4 L2 = EFE = -2
L3 = GHG = 2 L4 = CDEFC = 2×-3 = -6
L5 = EFGHE = -5×-6 = 30 L6 = CDEFGHC = 2×-5 = -10
Two Non-touching Loops:
L1 L2 = -4×-2 = 8 L1 L3 = -4×2 = -8
L1 L5 = -4×30 = -120 L2 L3 = -2×2 = -4
L3 L4 = 2×-6 = -12
Three Non-touching Loops:
L1 L2 L3 = -4×-2×2 = 16
Δ= 1 – {-4 -2 +2 -6 +30 -10} + {8-8-120-4-12} – {16} = -161
Δ1 = 1 – {0} = 1
Δ2 = 1 – {L3} = 1-2 = -1
Δ3 = 1 – {L1} = 1 +4 = 5

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 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

Δ4= 1 – {L1+L3} +{L1L3} = 1 – {-4+2}-8 = -5

Δ5= 1 – {L1+L2+L4} +{L1L2} = 1 – {-4-2-6}+8 = 21
Δ6= 1 – {L2+L3+L5} +{L2L3} = 1 – {-2+2+30}-4 = -33
Δ7 = 1 – {L2} = 1 +2 = 3
Δ8 = 1 – {0} = 1
Δ9 = 1 – {L1} = 1- {-4} = 5
Δ10 = 1 – {L3} = 1-2 = -1
Δ11= 1 – {0} = 1 Δ12= 1 – {0} = 1

{280 × 1 + 84 × (−1) + 100 × 5 + 30 × (−5) + (−8) × 21 + 63 × (−33) + 18 × 3 +

𝐶(𝑠) 24 × 1 − 72 × 5 − 135 × (−1) − 225 × 1 + 324 × 1}
=
𝑅(𝑠) −161
𝐶(𝑠) −1749
= = 10.8634
𝑅(𝑠) −161
Example (19):
Consider the control system described by the signal flow graph given below.

Obtain the closed–loop transfer function using Mason’s gain formula.

In this system, there are three forward paths between the input R(s) and the output
C(s). There are FOUR forward path gains which are:

P1 = G1G2G3G4G5G6 P2 = G1G7G4G5G6
P3 = G1G2G8G6 P4 = G1G7H2G8G6
There are TWELVE individual loops, the gains of these loops are
L1 = G4H1 L2 = G3H2
L3 = G2H5 L4 = G7H2H5
L5 = G2G3G4G5 H4 L6 = G7G4G5 H4
L7 = G2G8 H4 L8 = G7H2G8 H4
L9 = G2G3G4G5 H3 L10 = G7G4G5 H3
L11 = G2G8 H3 L12 = G7H2G8 H3
22 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein
 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

There are THREE pairs of non-touching loops, the gains of these loops are
L1L3 = G4H1G2H5
L1L7 = G4H1G2G8H4
L1L11 = G4H1G2G8H3
∆1 = ∆2 = ∆4 = 1, ∆3 = 1 − 𝐿1
∆= 1 − {𝐿1 + ⋯ + 𝐿12 } + {𝐿1 𝐿3 + 𝐿1 𝐿7 + 𝐿1 𝐿11 }
𝐶(𝑆) 𝑃1 ∆1 + 𝑃2 ∆2 + 𝑃3 ∆3 + 𝑃4 ∆4
=
𝑅(𝑆) ∆
Example (20):
For the control system, whose signal flow graph is shown below, using Mason’s
formula, find the system transfer function Y(s)/R(s).

̶ H2
̶ H1

G5
R(S) 1 G3 G4 1 Y(S)
G1 G2

H3 ̶ G6 G10
̶ H4 G8 H5

G7
G9

23 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

Example (21):
For the signal flow graph of a control system shown below, using Mason’s
formula, find the system transfer function and the system characteristic equation.

24 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

G7
̶ H8 ̶ H7 ̶ H3 ̶ H4
̶ H5
R(S) 1 G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 1
C(S)
̶ H1
G6
̶ H2 ̶ H6
G8

* There are FOUR Forward Paths:

P1 = G7 P2 = G1G2G3G4
P3 = G1G2G6G5 P4 = G8G5
* There are TWENTY ONE feedback loops:
L1 = G1 H1; L2 = G2 H2;
L3 = G3 H3; L4 = G4 H4;
L5 = G5 H5; L6 = G5 H6;
L7 = G2H7; L8 = G1H8;
L9 = G6H4H3; L10 = G8H4H3H7H8;
L11 = G8H4H3H7H1; L12 = G8H4H3H2H1;
L13 = G8H4H3H2H8; L14 = G7H5H4H3H7H8;
L15 = G7H5H4H3H7H1; L16 = G7H5H4H3H2H1;
L17 = G7H5H4H3H2H8; L18 = G7H6H4H3H7H8;
L19 = G7H6H4H3H7H1; L20 = G7H6H4H3H2H1;
L21 = G7H6H4H3H2H8;

* There are EIGHTEEN combination of two-non-touching feedback loops:

L1L3 = G1 H1 G3 H3 L1L4 = G1 H1 G4 H4
L1L5 = G1 H1 G5 H5 L1L6 = G1 H1 G5 H6
L1L9 = G1 H1 G6 H4 H3 L2L4 = G2 H2 G4H4

25 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

L2L5 = G2 H2 G5 H5 L2L6 = G2 H2 G5 H6
L3L5 = G3 H3 G5 H5 L3L6 = G3 H3 G5 H6
L3L8 = G3 H3 G1 H8 L4L7 = G4 H4 G2 H7
L4L8 = G4 H4 G1 H8 L5L7 = G5 H5 G2 H7
L5L8 = G5 H5 G1 H8 L6L7 = G5 H6 G2 H7
L6L8 = G5 H6 G1 H8 L8L9 = G1 H8 G6 H4 H3

* There are FOUR combination of three-non-touching feedback loops:

L1L3 L5 = G1 H1 G3 H3 G5 H5 L1L3 L6 = G1 H1 G3 H3 G5 H6
L3L5 L8 = G3 H3 G5 H5 G1 H8 L3L6 L8 = G3 H3 G5 H6 G1 H8
 = 1 – [ L1 + L2 + … + L15] – [ L1L3 + L1L4 + … + L8 L9] + [ L1L3L5 + … + L3L6L8]
1 = 1 – [L2 + L3 + L4 + L7 + L9] + [L2L4 + L4L7]
2 = 3 = 1
4 = 1 - [L2 + L3 + L7]
 = 1 - {L1 + L2 + L3 + ... + L21} + {L1L3 + L1L4 + L1L5 + ...+ L4L6}
Using Mason's Formula, the system Transfer Function is:
𝑌(𝑆) 𝑃1 ∆1 + 𝑃2 ∆2 + 𝑃3 ∆3 + 𝑃4 ∆4
=
𝑅(𝑆) ∆
The characteristic equation is:
 = 1 – [ L1 + L2 + … + L15] – [ L1L3 + L1L4 + … + L8 L9] + [ L1L3L5 + … + L3L6L8] = 0

Example (22):
For the signal flow graph of a control system shown below, using Mason’s formula,
find the system transfer function and the system characteristic equation.

26 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

There are SIX forward path gains which are:

P1 = G1G2G3G5G6 G9 P2 = G1G2G3G5G7G9
P3 = G1G4G5G6G9 P4 = G1G4G5G7G9
P5 = G1G4H2G8G9 P6 = G1G2G8G9

There are Fifteen individual loops, the gains of these loops are
L1 = G2H1
L2 = G3H2
L3 = G4H2H1
L4 = G5H3
L5 = G6H4
L6 = G7H4
L7 = G5G6H5
L8 = G5G7H5
L9 = G3G5G6H6
L10 = G3G5G7H6
L11 = G8H6
L12 = G8H4H3H2
L13 = G8H5H2
L14 = G4G5G6H6H1
L15 = G4G5G7H6H1

There are Ten pairs of non-touching loops, the gains of these loops are
L1L4 = G2H1 G5H3
L1L5 = G2H1 G6H4
L1L6 = G2H1 G7H4

27 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

L1L7 = G2H1 G5G6H5

L1L8 = G2H1 G5G7H5
L2L5 = G3H2 G6 H4
L2L6 = G3H2 G7 H4
L3L5 = G4H2H1 G6 H4
L3L6 = G4H2H1 G7 H4
L4L11 = G5H3 G8 H6

There is only ONE three non-touching loops, the gains of this loops are
L1L4L11 = G2H1 G5H3 G8H6
∆1 = ∆2 = ∆3 = ∆4 = ∆5 = 1
∆6 = 1 − 𝐿4 = 1 − 𝐿4 = 1 − 𝐺5 𝐻3
∆= 1 − {𝐿1 + ⋯ + 𝐿13 } + {𝐿1 𝐿4 + 𝐿1 𝐿5 + ⋯ + 𝐿4 𝐿11 } − {𝐿1 𝐿4 𝐿11 }
𝐶(𝑆) 𝑃1 ∆1 + 𝑃2 ∆2 + 𝑃3 ∆3 + 𝑃4 ∆4 + 𝑃5 ∆5 + 𝑃6 ∆6
=
𝑅(𝑆) ∆
Example (23):
For the control system, whose signal flow graph is shown below, using Mason’s
formula, find the system transfer function C(s)/R(s).

There are SIX forward path gains which are:

P1 = G1G2G3G4G5G6 P2 = G1G7G4G5G6
P3 = G1G7H3G8G6 P4 = G1G2G8G6
P5 = G1G2G3G9G6 P6 = G1G7G9G6
There are Nineteen individual loops, the gains of these loops are
L1 = G2H4 L2 = G3H3
L3 = G4H2 L4 = G5H1
L5 = G7 H3H4 L6 = G8H1H2 H3
28 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein
 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

L7 = G9H1 H2 L8 = G2G3G4G5 H5
L9 = G2G3G4G5 H6 L10 = G7G4G5 H5
L11 = G7G4G5 H6 L12 = G7H3G8 H5
L13 = G7H3G8 H6 L14 = G2G8H5
L15 = G2G8H6 L16 = G2G3G9H5
L17 = G2G3G9H6 L18 = G7G9H5
L19 = G7G9H6
There are Seven pairs of non-touching loops, the gains of these loops are
L1L3 = G2H4G4H2
L1L4 = G2H4G5H1
L1L7 = G2H4 G9H1 H2
L2L4= G3H3G5H1
L3L14= G4H2G2G8H5
L3L15= G4H2G2G8H6
L4L5= G5H1 G7 H3H4
∆1 = ∆2 = ∆3 = ∆5 = ∆6 = 1, ∆ 4 = 1 − 𝐿3
∆= 1 − {𝐿1 + ⋯ + 𝐿19 } + {𝐿1 𝐿3 + 𝐿1 𝐿4 + ⋯ + 𝐿3 𝐿15 }
𝐶(𝑆) 𝑃1 ∆1 + 𝑃2 ∆2 + 𝑃3 ∆3 + 𝑃4 ∆4 + 𝑃5 ∆5 + 𝑃6 ∆6
=
𝑅(𝑆) ∆
Example (24):
Consider the control system described by the signal flow graph given below. Obtain
the closed–loop transfer function using Mason’s gain formula.

There are FIVE forward path gains which are:

P1 = G1G2G3G4G5G6 G7 P2 = G1G2G3G11G7
P3 = G1G2G8G9G5G6G7 P4 = G1G2G8G9G5H2G11G7
29 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein
 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

P5 = G1G2G8G10G7

There are SIX individual loops, the gains of these loops are
L1 = G8H3
L2 = H4
L3 = G2 G3H1
L4 = G4G5H2
L5 = G2G8G9G5H2H1
L6 = G5 H5

There are SIX pairs of non-touching loops, the gains of these loops are
L1L4 = G8H3 G4G5H2
L1L6 = G8H3 G5 H5
L2L3 = H4 G2 G3H1
L2L4 = H4 G3G5H2
L2L6 = H4 G5 H5
L3L6 = G2 G3H1 G5 H5

There is only ONE three non-touching loops, the gains of this loops are
L2L3L6 = H4 G2 G3H1 G5 H5
∆1 = 1 − 𝐿2
∆2 = 1 − {𝐿2 + 𝐿6 } + {𝐿2 𝐿6 }
∆3 = ∆4 = 1
∆ 5 = 1 − 𝐿6 − 𝐿 4
∆= 1 − {𝐿1 + ⋯ + 𝐿6 } + {𝐿1 𝐿4 + 𝐿1 𝐿6 + ⋯ + 𝐿3 6} − {𝐿2 𝐿3 𝐿6 }
𝐶(𝑆) 𝑃1 ∆1 + 𝑃2 ∆2 + 𝑃3 ∆3 + 𝑃4 ∆4 + 𝑃5 ∆5
=
𝑅(𝑆) ∆

30 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

Sheet 3 (Signal Flow Graph)

Problem #1
Consider the signal flow graph shown below, identify the following:

a) Input node.
b) Output node.
c) Self loop.
d) Determine the loop gains of the feedback loops.
e) Determine the path gains of the forward paths

Problem #2
For the control systems represented by block diagrams shown in figures below, Draw
the corresponding signal flow graph (SFG), then using Mason's rule to obtain the
system transfer function.
a)

b)

31 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

c)

d)

e)

Problem #3
Using Mason's Rule, find the transfer function for the following SFG's

a)

32 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

b)

c)

d)

e)

33 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

 Benha University Electrical Engineering Department
Faculty of Engineering at Shubra Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein

f)

References:
[1] Bosch, R. GmbH. Automotive Electrics and Automotive Electronics, 5th ed. John Wiley & Sons
Ltd., UK, 2007.
[2] Franklin, G. F., Powell, J. D., and Emami-Naeini, A. Feedback Control of Dynamic Systems.
Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 1986.
[3] Dorf, R. C. Modern Control Systems, 5th ed. Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 1989.
[4] Nise, N. S. Control System Engineering, 6th ed. John Wiley & Sons Ltd., UK, 2011.
[5] Ogata, K. Modern Control Engineering, 5th ed ed. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2010.
[6] Kuo, B. C. Automatic Control Systems, 5th ed. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1987.

34 Chapter Four: Signal Flow Graph Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Hussein