Stellgrößen

Stellgrößen, a German term, translates to "control variables" or "setpoint variables" in English, and refers to the measured or manipulated quantities within a control loop that are adjusted to achieve a desired system behavior. In the context of control engineering, a control loop aims to maintain a specific process variable, such as temperature, pressure, or speed, at a desired setpoint. The stellgröße is the output signal from the controller that influences the actuator, which in turn affects the process variable.

For example, in a heating system, the desired temperature is the setpoint. The controller compares the actual room temperature (process variable) to the setpoint and generates a signal (stellgröße) to operate a valve or a heating element (actuator). This stellgröße could be a voltage, a current, or a digital signal, depending on the type of controller and actuator used. The magnitude and nature of the stellgröße directly determine how the actuator responds and, consequently, how the process variable changes. Understanding and accurately determining the stellgröße is crucial for effective control system design and performance.