Feedback

German: Rückkoppelung

Definition

A system whose output acts back modulating to its input is referred to as feedback, e.g. as degenerative feedback in feedback control systems.

In degenerative feedback (e.g. negative feedback) the output signal inhibits the system's input, whereas in positive feedback as well as in other regenerative feedback processes the output amplifies the input signal.

Cybernetic systems theory mathematically analyses feedback processes.