Chapter 5 - Neuronal Modeling of the Baroreceptor Reflex with Applications in Process Modeling and Control

Abstract

This chapter outlines several strategies that exploit fundamental descriptions of the neuronal architectures that underlie the baroreceptor vagal reflex responsible for short-term blood pressure control). These applications include process controller scheduling, nonsquare controller design, and dynamic process modeling. A simplified neuronal model of the baroreflex is presented, which provides a framework for the development of the process tools. Biological control systems exhibit high performance and robust control of highly complex underlying systems; on the other hand, engineering approaches to robust control are still under development. This situation motivates neuromorphic engineering: the reverse engineering of biological control structures for applications in control systems engineering. The neural circuits in the baroreceptor reflex—the control system responsible for short-term regulation of arterial blood pressure—is a rich source of inspiration for process modeling and control techniques. Future work should focus on further development and industrial applications of these techniques.