Robust Tuning of MIMO Process Controllers Under Uncertainty
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robust control techniques for model-based process controllers require highly trained personnel and are complex to implement, especially for multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) processes with uncertainties, making them difficult and costly to tune.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for robust tuning of model-based process controllers that involve obtaining uncertainties and time-domain performance specifications to generate multiple tuning parameters, using visualization techniques and optimization algorithms to simplify the tuning process, allowing for automatic parameter adjustment and prediction of computation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard robust control techniques are used for tuning MIMO process controllers, then controller performance under uncertainty is improved, but implementation complexity and personnel training requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the complex robust control tuning problem into a parameter optimization problem by defining performance specifications in terms of time-domain parameters (rise time, settling time, overshoot) and using systematic methods to determine tuning parameters that satisfy these specifications under uncertainty, thereby reducing implementation complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional frequency-domain robust control techniques with time-domain optimization methods, substituting complex mathematical transformations with direct time-domain performance specification and optimization algorithms that are easier to implement and understand
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional robust control tuning methods are applied, then performance specifications are met, but tuning time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis by characterizing process uncertainty and pre-defining performance specifications before actual tuning, allowing the optimization algorithm to work with bounded parameters and converge faster to satisfactory solutions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the tuning problem into an optimization of specific time-domain parameters (rise time, settling time, overshoot) with clear bounds and relationships, enabling efficient numerical optimization that converges rapidly compared to traditional iterative frequency-domain methods
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes obtaining information identifying (i) uncertainties associated with multiple time-domain parameters of a model and (ii) time-domain performance specifications for a model-based industrial process controller. The model mathematically represents a MIMO industrial process. The method also includes generating multiple tuning parameters for the controller based on the uncertainties and the time-domain performance specifications. The tuning parameters include vectors of tuning parameters associated with the controller, and each vector includes values associated with different outputs of the industrial process. The time-domain parameters could include a process gain, a time constant, and a time delay for each input-output pair of the model. The time-domain performance specifications could include requirements related to worst-case overshoots, settling times, and total variations. The uncertainties could be specified as intervals in which the time-domain parameters lie.