A Stability Criterion Based on the Return Difference

A simple stability criterion based on the return difference is established: Draw the phase plot of the return difference 1 + GH(j?) vs. ?, if and only if ?(?)??(0) = (n + 2m) ?/2, the system is stable, where n is the number of poles of GH(j?) at the origin and m is that in the right half plane; ?(?) and ?(0) are the phase angles of "1 + GH(i?)" at ? = ? and at ? = 0, respectively.