Simultaneous automatic tuning of cascade control systems from closed-loop step response data

This study presents a novel automatic tuning method for cascade control systems in which both primary and secondary controllers are tuned simultaneously using a single closed-loop step test. The proposed technique identifies the required process information with the help of B-spline series representation for the step responses. The two proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controllers are then tuned using an internal model control (IMC) approach. Considering the rationale of cascade control, the secondary controller is designed for faster disturbance attenuation. Without requiring an additional experiment, the primary controller is designed based on an identified process model that accurately accounts for inner loop dynamics. Finally, this study includes robustness considerations in the controller tuning process, and develops explicit guidelines for the selection of the IMC tuning parameters, completing the automatic tuning procedure for cascade control systems. The proposed method is robust to measurement noise because of the filtering property of the B-splines, and can provide superior control performance for both set-point tracking and disturbance rejection. Simulation examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed automatic tuning method.     

Robust IMC–PID tuning for cascade control systems with gain and phase margin specifications

In this article, an internal model control plus proportional-integral-derivative (IMC–PID) tuning procedure for cascade control systems is proposed based on the gain and phase margin specifications of the inner and outer loop. The internal model control parameters are adjusted according to the desired frequency response of each loop with a minimum interaction between the inner and outer PID controllers, obtaining a fine tuning and the desired gain and phase margins specifications due to an appropriate selection of the PID controller gains and constants. Given the design specifications for the inner and outer loop, this tuning procedure adjusts the IMC parameter of each controller independently, with no interference between the inner and outer loop obtaining a robust method for cascade controllers with better performance than sequential tuning or other frequency domain-based methods. This technique is accurate and simple, providing a convenient technique for the PID tuning of cascade control systems in different applications such as mechanical, electrical or chemical systems. The proposed tuning method explained in this article provides a flexible tuning procedure in comparison with other tuning procedures because each loop is tuned simultaneously without modifying the robustness characteristics of the inner and outer loop. Several experiments are shown to compare and validate the effectiveness of the proposed tuning procedure over other sequential or cascade tuning methods; some experiments under different conditions are done to test the performance of the proposed tuning technique. For these reasons, a robustness analysis based on sensitivity is shown in this article to analyze the disturbance rejection properties and the relations of the IMC parameters.     

Decoupling two-degree-of-freedom control strategy for cascade control systems

In this paper, two new two-degree-of-freedom control structures are proposed for cascade control systems, both of which are identical in the controller design procedure. The primary controller used for setpoint tracking is derived in terms of H₂ optimal performance objective. The secondary controller is responsible for rejecting load disturbances that seep into the intermediate process and therefore is called a load disturbance estimator, which is inversely figured out by proposing the desired complementary sensitivity function of the inner loop for disturbance rejection. As a result, the nominal setpoint response is decoupled with the load disturbance response of the inner loop, both of which can be optimized independently. Based on the control system stability analysis, the rule of thumb for tuning the single adjustable parameter of each controller is provided to cope with the process uncertainty in practice. Several illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method.     

Improved PID controller design for unstable time delay processes based on direct synthesis method and maximum sensitivity

In this paper, a proportional-integral-derivative controller in series with a lead-lag filter is designed for control of the open-loop unstable processes with time delay based on direct synthesis method. Study of the performance of the designed controllers has been carried out on various unstable processes. Set-point weighting is considered to reduce the undesirable overshoot. The proposed scheme consists of only one tuning parameter, and systematic guidelines are provided for selection of the tuning parameter based on the peak value of the sensitivity function (M_s). Robustness analysis has been carried out based on sensitivity and complementary sensitivity functions. Nominal and robust control performances are achieved with the proposed method and improved closed-loop performances are obtained when compared to the recently reported methods in the literature.     

高阶不确定系统的线性串级自抗扰控制

自抗扰控制是我国著名学者韩京清原创的先进控制技术,本文针对自抗扰控制(ADRC)在高阶系统应用中控制器设计和参数整定问题,提出了串级自抗扰控制(CADRC). CADRC把高阶被控对象分解为含确定性部分和含总扰动的低阶部分的串联组合,采用由内环和外环组成的串级控制系统来完成控制.该CADRC方案的内环采用内模控制,外环采用经典ADRC.外环ADRC的被控对象是一个等效的低阶系统,可以采用带宽法进行整定,而内环的内模控制采用高阶低通滤波器进行回路成形设计和参数整定.仿真研究表明,所提出的方法是有效的,具有良好的工程应用前景.     

Tuning algorithms for fractional order internal model controllers for time delay processes

This paper presents two tuning algorithms for fractional-order internal model control (IMC) controllers for time delay processes. The two tuning algorithms are based on two specific closed-loop control configurations: the IMC control structure and the Smith predictor structure. In the latter, the equivalency between IMC and Smith predictor control structures is used to tune a fractional-order IMC controller as the primary controller of the Smith predictor structure. Fractional-order IMC controllers are designed in both cases in order to enhance the closed-loop performance and robustness of classical integer order IMC controllers. The tuning procedures are exemplified for both single-input-single-output as well as multivariable processes, described by first-order and second-order transfer functions with time delays. Different numerical examples are provided, including a general multivariable time delay process. Integer order IMC controllers are designed in each case, as well as fractional-order IMC controllers. The simulation results show that the proposed fractional-order IMC controller ensures an increased robustness to modelling uncertainties. Experimental results are also provided, for the design of a multivariable fractional-order IMC controller in a Smith predictor structure for a quadruple-tank system.     

不稳定时滞对象的最优鲁棒二自由度控制器解析设计

针对不稳定时滞对象提出一种二自由度控制器解析设计方法．通过内模控制规律进行控制器设计,改进内模控制的滤波器提高系统的鲁棒性及其性能．同时对系统的稳定性、鲁棒性及性能进行分析,提出了严格基于模型信息的鲁棒指标选择规则,保证系统获得良好的鲁棒/性能平衡．最后,将控制器的参数整定转化为一个约束优化问题,提出控制器解析整定方法,并通过仿真实例验证该方法的有效性．     

Adaptive speed tracking control for autonomous land vehicles in all‐terrain navigation: An experimental study

This paper develops a nonparametric controller with an internal model control (IMC) structure for the longitudinal speed tracking control of autonomous land vehicles by designing a proportional and internal model control (IMC) cascade (P‐IMC) controller. An IMC architecture is employed in the inner control loop by establishing a nonparametric longitudinal dynamical model, whereas a P controller is designed for the outer control loop. An approach for estimating the terrain effects and compensating for the model errors is also introduced. The differences from other nonparametric controllers are discussed, and the stability of the P‐IMC controller is analyzed and validated experimentally. The P‐IMC controller is compared with the SpAM+PI to illustrate its advantages. The experimental results of autonomous all‐terrain driving show the effectiveness of the P‐IMC controller.     

H<Subscript>2</Subscript>-optimal tuning algorithms for fixed structure controllers

An H₂-method of optimal tuning is proposed for a fixed order controller. The SISO plant model is considered in state space. The H₂-method of tuning parameter design is based on the minimization of a transient process closeness criterion for appropriate open-loop and closed-loop control systems and their reference models. The controller tuning algorithms use the plant parameter estimations obtained during the plant parameter identification. The analytical expressions are obtained for the square of H₂-norm of a stable dynamic system. The following theorem is proven: the minimum necessary conditions for the functionals of transfer function H₂-norm of open-loop and closed-loop systems are the same as the minimum necessary conditions for the Frobenius norm of the controller parameter tuning polynomial.     

Optimized Model Based Controller with Model Plant Mismatch for NMP Mitigation in Boost Converter

In this paper, an optimized Genetic Algorithm (GA) based internal model controller-proportional integral derivative (IMC-PID) controller has been designed for the control variable to output variable transfer function of dc-dc boost converter to mitigate the effect of non-minimum phase (NMP) behavior due to the presence of a right-half plane zero (RHPZ). This RHPZ limits the dynamic performance of the converter and leads to internal instability. The IMC PID is a streamlined counterpart of the standard feedback controller and easily achieves optimal set point and load change performance with a single filter tuning parameter λ. Also, this paper addresses the influences of the model-based controller with model plant mismatch on the closed-loop control. The conventional IMC PID design is realized as an optimization problem with a resilient controller being determined through a genetic algorithm. Computed results suggested that GA–IMC PID coheres to the optimum designs with a fast convergence rate and outperforms conventional IMC PID controllers.     

双馈风力发电机的内模控制器设计

针对双馈风力发电机(DFIG)中普遍存在的功率耦合问题,设计了一种基于内模原理的电流控制器.首先介绍了内模控制(IMC)理论的系统结构,在此基础上推导出双馈风力发电系统的传递函数,并建立基于内模控制的电流内环数学模型;其次,内模控制器的参数整定参考系统的平方积分误差值,其鲁棒稳定性参考M值的大小;最后利用Matlab仿真平台进行了仿真实验.结果表明,该控制器实现了系统有功和无功的充分解耦,并具有较好的稳态和动态性能.     

TWO‐DEGREE‐OF‐FREEDOM CONTROL SCHEME FOR PROCESSES WITH LARGE TIME DELAY

In this paper, an analytical two‐degree‐of‐freedom‐control scheme is proposed for controlling processes with large time delay. The main contributions of this paper are that a setpoint response controller and an H_∞ PID load‐loop controller are developed based on optimal control theory, and control parameters are derived analytically. This structure can also be used to control integrating or unstable processes.     

Design and implementation of a fuzzy supervisor for on-line compensation of nonlinearities: An instability avoidance module

Unstable behavior of a control loop is the most feared situation in control engineering. Since PID controllers are linear in nature, but still used in 90% of control loops in the process industry, their use in nonlinear processes increases the risk of closed-loop unstable response. This paper presents the design of an instability avoidance module for SISO PID control loops to automatically adjust the controller's tuning parameters when undesired oscillatory behavior is monitored. This module is a Fuzzy-based Supervisor composed of a dynamic parameter identification module that operates on-line, and a Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) with fuzzy rules to modify PID tuning. Tests in nonlinear process models are performed, demonstrating that this Fuzzy Supervisor—Type 1 (non-intrusive) provides the PID controller the ability to adapt its tuning to eliminate observed oscillatory behavior.     

基于改进Smith预估控制结构的二自由度PID控制

针对工业过程中的二阶不稳定时滞过程, 基于改进史密斯预估控制结构提出了一种简单的两自由度控制方案.设定值跟踪控制器和扰动抑制控制器采用同一设计程序, 并基于内模控制原理提出了控制器解析设计方案.设定值跟踪控制器和抗扰动控制器可分别通过单性能参数独立调节和优化, 每个控制器都具有PID形式, 给出了控制器调整参数的选择范围和扰动抑制闭环保证鲁棒稳定性的条件.仿真实例验证了提出方法对于近期其他方法的优越性.     

Robust Controller Design And Pid Tuning For Multivariable Processes

In this paper, a robust controller design method is first formulated to deal with both performance and robust stability specifications for multivariable processes. The optimum problem is then dealt with using a loop‐shaping H_∞ approach, which gives a sub‐optimal solution. Then a PID approximation method is proposed to reduce a high‐order controller. The whole procedure involves selecting several parameters and the computation is simple, so it serves as a PID tuning method for multivariable processes. Examples show that the method is easy to use and the resulting PID settings have good time‐domain performance and robustness.     

Multivariable disturbance observer-based H2 analytical decoupling control design for multivariable systems

In this paper, an H₂ analytical decoupling control scheme with multivariable disturbance observer for both stable and unstable multi-input/multi-output (MIMO) systems with multiple time delays is proposed. Compared with conventional control strategies, the main merit is that the proposed control scheme can improve the system performances effectively when the MIMO processes with severe model mismatches and strong external disturbances. Besides, the design method has three additional advantages. First, the derived controller and observer are given in analytical forms, the design procedure is simple. Second, the orders of the designed controller and observer are low, they can be implemented easily in practice. Finally, the performance and robustness can be adjusted easily by tuning the parameters in the designed controller and observer. It is useful for practical application. Simulations are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.     

Optimal disturbance rejection controller design for integrating processes with dead time based on algebraic theory

In this paper, an H₂ optimal input-load disturbance rejection (ILDR) controller for integrating processes with dead time is proposed based on the internal model control principle. The main contribution of this work is that the optimal solution under ILDR criterion for integrating processes with dead time and input constant disturbances has been derived based on algebraic theory. To further improve the performance for both set-point tracking and input disturbance rejection, a two-degree-of-freedom (TDOF) control design method has also been developed. Compared with previous advanced control methods, the proposed design method has three main advantages. First, the optimal ILDR controller is derived systematically on the basis of algebraic theory. The designed controller is given in an analytical form. Second, a simple tune principle is developed. The set-point tracking performance specification and robustness stability specification can be quantitatively achieved by monotonously tuning the performance degree in the designed controller. Finally, both optimal set-point tracking performance and input disturbance rejection can be achieved by the proposed TDOF control structure. Numerical simulations are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

基于分数阶内模控制的风力机叶片颤振研究

针对风力机叶片颤振系统,提出了一种结合分数阶(Fractional Order)控制与内模控制(Internal Model Control,IMC)的新型颤振控制方法.利用分数阶滤波器设计了分数阶内模控制器,基于闭环动态特性指标,如相位裕量和截止频率,实现对控制器参数的自整定.通过仿真实验对比证明,针对风力机叶片颤振控制,所设计的控制方法优于传统PID、内模PID控制方法,不仅减少了控制参数,而且提高了动态特性和鲁棒性.     

PID controller frequency-domain tuning for stable, integrating and unstable processes, including dead-time

In the present paper a new tuning procedure is proposed for the ideal PID controller in series with the first-order noise filter. It is based on the recently proposed extension of the Ziegler-Nichols frequency-domain dynamics characterization of a process G_p(s). Measured process characteristics are the ultimate frequency and ultimate gain, the angle of the tangent to the Nyquist curve of the process at the ultimate frequency, and G_p(0). For a large class of processes the same tuning formulae can be effectively applied to obtain closed-loop responses with predictable properties. Load disturbance step responses without the undershoot and reference step responses with negligible overshoot are obtained by analyzing a test batch consisting of stable, integrating and unstable processes, including dead-time and oscillatory dynamics. The proposed tuning makes possible to specify the desired sensitivity to the high frequency measurement noise and the desired maximum sensitivity. Comparison with the optimal ideal PID controller in series with the first-order noise filter is presented and discussed. The extension of the proposed method to the PI controller tuning is direct. Comparison with the optimal PI controller is presented and discussed.     

几种不稳定滞后对象的预测PID 控制

针对几种不稳定滞后过程，给出一种预测PID控制器的结构形式．该控制器具有内环和外环两种控制器：内环控制器主要用于稳定系统；外环控制器具有预测PID控制的结构形式，主要用于消除输入干扰的影响和改善控制系统的动态性能．这种控制器结构简单，可调参数少，且参数的调节方便、直观．仿真结果表明，在干扰和模型失配的情况下，此类预测PID控制器仍具有良好的控制性能和鲁棒稳定性能．