In instrumentation, what does the term "feedback" refer to?

In instrumentation, the term "feedback" refers to information sent back to the system for self-regulation. This concept is crucial in control systems, where the output of a system is monitored and returned to the input to adjust operations and maintain desired conditions. Feedback mechanisms help ensure that systems respond to changes in the environment or process variables, enabling improvement in stability and accuracy.

For example, in a temperature control system, if the temperature exceeds a setpoint, feedback from the temperature sensor can trigger cooling mechanisms to bring the temperature back down to the desired level. This self-regulating aspect of feedback is fundamental in many industrial control systems, providing a pathway for continuous improvement and precision in operations. This ensures that systems operate efficiently and maintain desired outcomes based on real-time data.