Which type of control loop maintains the output at a desired setpoint?

Feedback control is the type of control loop that actively maintains the output at a desired setpoint. In a feedback control system, the output is continuously monitored and compared to the setpoint. If there is any deviation from this setpoint, the control system adjusts its inputs to bring the output back to the desired level. This closed-loop mechanism relies on the feedback from the output to correct any discrepancies, ensuring stable and accurate performance.

In contrast, open-loop control does not monitor or adjust based on the output; it simply executes control actions based on predefined inputs without any feedback mechanism. Feedforward control anticipates disturbances and adjusts inputs accordingly, but it does not rely on output measurement for correction. Adaptive control modifies its parameters in response to changing conditions but may not directly maintain output at a setpoint in the same steady-state manner as feedback control does. Thus, feedback control stands out as the method specifically designed to maintain outputs consistently at their setpoints through real-time adjustments.