Engineering English
Error Signal
Mechatronics & Robotics · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: The error signal is the difference between the setpoint (desired value) and the actual measured value of the controlled variable. It drives the controller action to reduce the deviation.
Example in context
“The PID controller amplifies the error signal to generate a control output that reduces the deviation.”
“PID denetleyici, sapmayı azaltan bir kontrol çıkışı oluşturmak için hata sinyalini yükseltir.”
Where engineers use it
Error signal is central to feedback control; engineers compute it continuously in closed-loop systems to determine corrective action. It is used in tuning controllers and analyzing system performance.
Synonyms: control error, deviation signal
Antonyms: reference input
Practice: can you use “Error Signal” at work?
In a motor speed control simulation, the measured speed is 980 RPM while the setpoint is 1000 RPM. Explain how the error signal drives the controller output.
Show a model answer
“The error signal indicates how far the process is from the setpoint.”
“Error Signal” in 21 languages
| English | Error Signal |
|---|---|
| Turkish | hata sinyali |
| French | signal d'erreur |
| German | Fehlersignal |
| Spanish | señal de error |
| Chinese | 误差信号 |
| Arabic | إشارة الخطأ |
| Portuguese | sinal de erro |
| Russian | сигнал ошибки |
| Japanese | 誤差信号 |
| Italian | segnale di errore |
| Vietnamese | tín hiệu sai số |
| Hindi | त्रुटि संकेत |
| Thai | สัญญาณข้อผิดพลาด |
| Indonesian | sinyal kesalahan |
| Korean | 오차 신호 |
| Bengali | ত্রুটি সংকেত |
| Dutch | foutsignaal |
| Swedish | felsignal |
| Finnish | virhesignaali |
| Ukrainian | сигнал помилки |
Frequently asked questions
What does Error Signal mean in engineering?
The error signal is the difference between the setpoint (desired value) and the actual measured value of the controlled variable. It drives the controller action to reduce the deviation. In Mechatronics & Robotics, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Error Signal?
Error Signal is pronounced /ˈɛrər ˈsɪɡnəl/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Error Signal used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “The PID controller amplifies the error signal to generate a control output that reduces the deviation.”
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