Improving disturbance rejection of PID controllers by means of the magnitude optimum method

The magnitude optimum (MO) method provides a relatively fast and non-oscillatory closed-loop tracking response for a large class of process models frequently encountered in the process and chemical industries. However, the deficiency of the method is poor disturbance rejection performance of some processes. In this paper, disturbance rejection performance of the PID controller is improved by applying the“disturbance rejection magnitude optimum” (DRMO) optimisation method, while the tracking performance has been improved by a set-point weighting and set-point filtering PID controller structure. The DRMO tuning method requires numerical optimisation for the calculation of PID controller parameters. The method was applied to two different 2-degrees-of-freedom PID controllers and has been tested on several different representatives of process models and one laboratory set-up. A comparison with some other tuning methods has shown that the proposed tuning method, with a set-point filtering PID controller, is quite efficient in improving disturbance rejection performance, while retaining tracking performance comparable with the original MO method.     

Improving disturbance rejection of PI controllers by means of the magnitude optimum method

The magnitude optimum (MO) method provides a relatively fast and nonoscillatory closed-loop tracking response for a large class of process models frequently encountered in the process and chemical industries. However, the deficiency of the method is poor disturbance rejection when controlling low-order processes. In this paper, the MO criterion is modified in order to optimize disturbance rejection performance, while the tracking performance has been improved by an integral set-point filtering PI controller structure. The new tuning rules, referred to as the disturbance rejection magnitude optimum (DRMO) method, were applied to several different two-degrees-of-freedom PI controllers. The DRMO method has also been tested on several different representatives of process models. The results of experiments have shown that the proposed tuning method with the integral set-point filtering PI controller is quite efficient in improving disturbance rejection performance, while retaining tracking performance comparable to the original MO method.     

Simple PID parameter tuning method based on outputs of the closed loop system

Most of the existing PID parameters tuning methods are only effective with pre-known accurate system models, which often require some strict identification experiments and thus infeasible for many complicated systems. Actually, in most practical engineering applications, it is desirable for the PID tuning scheme to be directly based on the input-output response of the closed-loop system. Thus, a new parameter tuning scheme for PID controllers without explicit mathematical model is developed in this paper. The paper begins with a new frequency domain properties analysis of the PID controller. After that, the definition of characteristic frequency for the PID controller is given in order to study the mathematical relationship between the PID parameters and the open-loop frequency properties of the controlled system. Then, the concepts of M-field and θ-field are introduced, which are then used to explain how the PID control parameters influence the closed-loop frequency-magnitude property and its time responses. Subsequently, the new PID parameter tuning scheme, i.e., a group of tuning rules, is proposed based on the preceding analysis. Finally, both simulations and experiments are conducted, and the results verify the feasibility and validity of the proposed methods. This research proposes a PID parameter tuning method based on outputs of the closed loop system.     

Simultaneous gains tuning in boiler/turbine PID-based controller clusters using iterative feedback tuning methodology

Tuning a complex multi-loop PID based control system requires considerable experience. In today's power industry the number of available qualified tuners is dwindling and there is a great need for better tuning tools to maintain and improve the performance of complex multivariable processes. Multi-loop PID tuning is the procedure for the online tuning of a cluster of PID controllers operating in a closed loop with a multivariable process. This paper presents the first application of the simultaneous tuning technique to the multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) PID based nonlinear controller in the power plant control context, with the closed-loop system consisting of a MIMO nonlinear boiler/turbine model and a nonlinear cluster of six PID-type controllers. Although simplified, the dynamics and cross-coupling of the process and the PID cluster are similar to those used in a real power plant. The particular technique selected, iterative feedback tuning (IFT), utilizes the linearized version of the PID cluster for signal conditioning, but the data collection and tuning is carried out on the full nonlinear closed-loop system. Based on the figure of merit for the control system performance, the IFT is shown to deliver performance favorably comparable to that attained through the empirical tuning carried out by an experienced control engineer.     

Design PID controllers for desired time-domain or frequency-domain response

Practical requirements on the design of control systems, especially process control systems, are usually specified in terms of time-domain response, such as overshoot and rise time, or frequency-domain response, such as resonance peak and stability margin. Although numerous methods have been developed for the design of the proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, little work has been done in relation to the quantitative time-domain and frequency-domain responses. In this paper, we study the following problem: Given a nominal stable process with time delay, we design a suboptimal PID controller to achieve the required time-domain response or frequency-domain response for the nominal system or the uncertain system. An H(infinity) PID controller is developed based on optimal control theory and the parameters are derived analytically. Its properties are investigated and compared with that of two developed suboptimal controllers: an H2 PID controller and a Maclaurin PID controller. It is shown that all three controllers can provide the quantitative time-domain and frequency-domain responses.     

Disturbance-rejection-based tuning of proportional–integral–derivative controllers by exploiting closed-loop plant data

A systematic data-based design method for tuning proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controllers for disturbance attenuation is proposed. In this method, a set of closed-loop plant data are directly exploited without using a process model. PID controller parameters for a control system that behaves as closely as possible to the reference model for disturbance rejection are derived. Two algorithms are developed to calculate the PID parameters. One algorithm determines the optimal time delay in the reference model by solving an optimization problem, whereas the other algorithm avoids the nonlinear optimization by using a simple approximation for the time delay term, enabling derivation of analytical PID tuning formulas. Because plant data integrals are used in the regression equations for calculating PID parameters, the two proposed algorithms are robust against measurement noises. Moreover, the controller tuning involves an adjustable design parameter that enables the user to achieve a trade-off between performance and robustness. Because of its closed-loop tuning capability, the proposed method can be applied online to improve (retune) existing underperforming controllers for stable, integrating, and unstable plants. Simulation examples covering a wide variety of process dynamics, including two examples related to reactor systems, are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed tuning method.     

CONVEX CONTROLLER DESIGN APPLIED TO AC INDUCTION MOTOR TO SATISFY MULTIPLE SIMULTANEOUS SPECIFICATIONS

The application of a closed-loop specification oriented feedback control design method, which addresses the design of controllers to satisfy multiple simultaneous conflicting closed-loop performance specifications is presented. The proposed approach is well suited to the design of controllers which must meet a set of conflicting performance specifications. Gain tuning is central to the design process, however, the tuning process is greatly simplified over that presented by the problem of tuning a PID controller for example. The proposed control method is applied to an AC induction motor, with an inner-loop flux vector controller applied to design a position control system. Experimental results verify the effectiveness of this method.     

PID tuning rules for SOPDT systems: review and some new results

PID controllers are widely used in industries and so many tuning rules have been proposed over the past 50 years that users are often lost in the jungle of tuning formulas. Moreover, unlike PI control, different control laws and structures of implementation further complicate the use of the PID controller. In this work, five different tuning rules are taken for study to control second-order plus dead time systems with wide ranges of damping coefficients and dead time to time constant ratios (D/tau). Four of them are based on IMC design with different types of approximations on dead time and the other on desired closed-loop specifications (i.e., specified forward transfer function). The method of handling dead time in the IMC type of design is important especially for systems with large D/tau ratios. A systematic approach was followed to evaluate the performance of controllers. The regions of applicability of suitable tuning rules are highlighted and recommendations are also given. It turns out that IMC designed with the Maclaurin series expansion type PID is a better choice for both set point and load changes for systems with D/tau greater than 1. For systems with D/tau less than 1, the desired closed-loop specification approach is favored.     

Manipulated variable based PI tuning and detection of poor settings: an industrial experience

A new method, based on the physical interpretation of the manipulated variable, is developed for tuning of proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers and detection of poor settings. This variable is used to set specifications and tune controllers for set-point changes. Here, these specifications are to have a closed-loop time response that is similar to the open-loop time response and a no static error to nonzero mean disturbances acting at the process input. The method is applicable to self-regulating first- and second-order models (overdamped) having stable or unstable zeros as well as delays to integrating first-order processes. For second-order processes, an approximation of equal time constants is used in order to facilitate the identification with step changes and tuning of PI controllers. Results show that the tuning is near optimal even when the time constants are very different. The method has been taught to people with different backgrounds: process engineers, maintenance technicians, production operators, as well as managers. Results have shown better understanding of the possibilities and limitations of process control and improved communication between the different groups.     

PID controller auto-tuning based on process step response and damping optimum criterion

This paper presents a novel method of PID controller tuning suitable for higher-order aperiodic processes and aimed at step response-based auto-tuning applications. The PID controller tuning is based on the identification of so-called n-th order lag (PTn) process model and application of damping optimum criterion, thus facilitating straightforward algebraic rules for the adjustment of both the closed-loop response speed and damping. The PTn model identification is based on the process step response, wherein the PTn model parameters are evaluated in a novel manner from the process step response equivalent dead-time and lag time constant. The effectiveness of the proposed PTn model parameter estimation procedure and the related damping optimum-based PID controller auto-tuning have been verified by means of extensive computer simulations.     

Simple method of designing centralized PI controllers for multivariable systems based on SSGM

A method is given to design multivariable PI/PID controllers for stable and unstable multivariable systems. The method needs only the steady state gain matrix (SSGM). The method is based on the static decoupler design followed by SISO PI/PID controllers design and combining the resulted decoupler and the diagonal PI(D) controllers as the centralized controllers. The result of the present method is shown to be equivalent to the empirical method proposed by Davison EJ. Multivariable tuning regulators: the feed-forward and robust control of general servo-mechanism problem. IEEE Trans Autom Control 1976;21:35–41. Three simulation examples are given. The performance of the controllers is compared with that of the reported centralized controller based on the multivariable transfer function matrix.     

Fractional order model reduction approach based on retention of the dominant dynamics: application in IMC based tuning of FOPI and FOPID controllers

Fractional order PI and PID controllers are the most common fractional order controllers used in practice. In this paper, a simple analytical method is proposed for tuning the parameters of these controllers. The proposed method is useful in designing fractional order PI and PID controllers for control of complicated fractional order systems. To achieve the goal, at first a reduction technique is presented for approximating complicated fractional order models. Then, based on the obtained reduced models some analytical rules are suggested to determine the parameters of fractional order PI and PID controllers. Finally, numerical results are given to show the efficiency of the proposed tuning algorithm.     

Fractional-order PID design: Towards transition from state-of-art to state-of-use

This paper presents a new tuning method for fractional-order (FO)PID controllers to simplify current tuning and make FOPID controllers more convenient for industry, i.e. facilitate transition from state-of-art to state-of-use. The number of tuning parameters is reduced from five to three based on popular specification settings for PID controllers without the need for reduced process models which introduce modeling errors. A test batch of 133 simulated processes and two real-life processes are used to test the presented method. A comparative study between the new method and the established CRONE controller, quantifies the performance. The conclusion states that the new method gives fractional controllers with similar performances as the current methods but with a significantly decreased tuning complexity making FOPID controllers more acceptable to industry.     

Nominal and robust stability regions of optimization-based PID controllers

In recent decades, several optimization-based methods have been developed for the proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller design, and the common feature of these methods is that the controller has only one adjustable parameter. To keep the closed-loop systems stable is an essential requirement for the optimization-based PID controllers. In almost all these methods, however, no exact stability region for the single adjustable parameter was sketched. In this paper, using the proposed analytical procedure based on the dual-locus diagram technique, explicit stability regions of the optimization-based PID controllers are derived for stable, integrating, and unstable processes with time delay in the nominal and perturbed cases, respectively. It is revealed that the proposed analytical procedure is effective for the determination of the nominal and robust stability regions and it offers simplicity and ease of mathematical calculations over other available stability analysis methods. The results in this paper provide some insight into the tuning of the optimization-based PID controllers.     

Extension of IMC tuning correlations for non-self regulating (integrating) processes

The filter term of a PID with Filter controller reduces the impact of measurement noise on the derivative action of the controller. This impact is quantified by the controller output travel defined as the total movement of the controller output per unit time. Decreasing controller output travel is important to reduce wear in the final control element. Internal Model Control (IMC) tuning correlations are widely published for PI, PID, and PID with Filter controllers for self regulating processes. For non-self regulating (or integrating) processes, IMC tuning correlations are published for PI and PID controllers but not for PID with Filter controllers. The important contribution of this work is that it completes the set of IMC tuning correlations with an extension to the PID with Filter controller for non-self regulating processes. Other published correlations (not based upon the IMC framework) for PID with Filter controllers fix the filter time constant at one-tenth the derivative time regardless of the model of the process. In contrast, the novel IMC correlations presented in this paper calculate a filter time constant based upon the model of the process and the user's choice for the closed-loop time constant. The set point tracking and disturbance rejection performance of the proposed IMC tunings is demonstrated using simulation studies and a bench-scale experimental system. The proposed IMC tunings are shown to perform as well as various PID correlations (with and without a filter term) while requiring considerably less controller action.     

An effective frequency domain approach to tuning non-PID controllers for high performance

In this paper, a new tuning method is proposed for the design of non-PID controllers for complex processes to achieve high performance. Compared with the existing PID tuning methods, the proposed non-PID controller design method can yield better performance for a wide range of complex processes. A suitable objective transfer function for the closed-loop system is chosen according to process characteristics. The corresponding ideal controller is derived. Model reduction is applied to fit the ideal controller into a much simpler and realizable form. Stability analysis is given and simulation examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

New tuning method for PID controller

In this paper, a tuning method for proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller and the performance assessment formulas for this method are proposed. This tuning method is based on a genetic algorithm based PID controller design method. For deriving the tuning formula, the genetic algorithm based design method is applied to design PID controllers for a variety of processes. The relationship between the controller parameters and the parameters that characterize the process dynamics are determined and the tuning formula is then derived. Using simulation studies, the rules for assessing the performance of a PID controller tuned by the proposed method are also given. This makes it possible to incorporate the capability to determine if the PID controller is well tuned or not into an autotuner. An autotuner based on this new tuning method and the corresponding performance assessment rules is also established. Simulations and real-time experimental results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness and usefulness of these formulas.     

An analytical method for PID controller tuning with specified gain and phase margins for integral plus time delay processes

In this paper, an analytical method is proposed for proportional-integral/proportional-derivative/proportional-integral-derivative (PI/PD/PID) controller tuning with specified gain and phase margins (GPMs) for integral plus time delay (IPTD) processes. Explicit formulas are also obtained for estimating the GPMs resulting from given PI/PD/PID controllers. The proposed method indicates a general form of the PID parameters and unifies a large number of existing rules as PI/PD/PID controller tuning with various GPM specifications. The GPMs realized by existing PID tuning rules are computed and documented as a reference for control engineers to tune the PID controllers.     

PD plus error-dependent integral nonlinear controllers for robot manipulators with an uncertain Jacobian matrix

In framework of traditional PID controllers, there are only three parameters available to tune, as a result, performance of the resulting system is always limited. As for Cartesian regulation of robot manipulators with uncertain Jacobian matrix, a scheme of PID controllers with error-dependent integral action is proposed. Compare with traditional PID controllers, the error-dependent integration is employed in the proposed PID controller, in which more parameters are available to be tuned. It provides additional flexibility for controller characteristics and tuning as well, and hence makes better transient performance. In addition, asymptotic stability of the resulting closed-loop system is guaranteed. All signals in the system are bounded when exogenous disturbances and measurement noises are bounded. Numerical example demonstrates the superior transient performance of the proposed controller over the traditional one via Cartesian space set-point manipulation of two-link robotic manipulator.     

一种相位相关的闭环频域辨识方法及其在最优PI控制器整定中的应用

最优PI控制器整定需要传递函数模型,且强调模型-90°在相位处的准确性。满足这种要求的模型化方法是应用PI控制器最优整定的关键步骤。为此,本文提出了一种基于双通道继电测试TRFT的相位相关闭环频域辨识策略。在该方法中,首先通过TRFT以闭环方式提取在指定相位的多点频率特性;其次,采用所提出的RNLS频域辨识算法估计过程对象的带有时滞的传递函数模型。最后的仿真取得了令人满意的结果,验证了所提出方法的有效性。本文所提出的建模方法与最优整定相结合构成了一个完整的工业应用框架。