Control Loop Rate
Frequency of a control loop from its cycle time.
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Example
T = 1 ms: f = 1000 Hz
How it works
A control loop rate tells you how many complete update cycles happen each second. Since one cycle takes T seconds, the number of cycles in 1 second is found by dividing 1 by T, giving f = 1/T. This works because frequency is defined as "per second," while cycle time is the time for one complete repeat.
When to use it
Use this when you know how long one sensor-read/process/output cycle takes and you need the loop frequency in Hz. It is common in robotics, embedded systems, motor control, and any feedback system that updates at regular intervals.
Worked example, step by step
Suppose a robot control loop takes T = 0.02 s per cycle. Use the formula: f = 1/T Substitute the value: f = 1/0.02 Calculate: f = 50 Final answer: the control loop rate is 50 Hz
Common mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting to convert milliseconds to seconds before calculating
- Using the wrong reciprocal, such as T = 1/f instead of f = 1/T
- Mixing up loop rate in Hz with delay time in seconds
Did You Know?
Fast, stable robots often run their inner control loops at 1 kHz or higher.
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