DBFact: A better approach to calculate the minimum variance control law for nonminimum phase MIMO systems

Abstract

AbstractThis paper presents the diagonal with Blaschke products factorization (DBFact) approach to factor out multivariable time delay and nonminimum phase zeros from multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) systems. Based on that, a new output‐order independent minimum variance (MV) control law for MIMO systems is proposed. The DBFact method is a two‐step factorization procedure, relying on the diagonal and Blaschke factorization methods. This method has the advantage of being a direct and non‐iterative procedure. This new factorization approach allows the calculation of an MV control law considering the multivariable time delay as a limiting‐performance factor and the nonminimum phase zeros and their corresponding directions. Based on the proposed MV control law, a performance benchmark is introduced, which can be calculated by the DBFact filters and routine operating data. The DBFact methodology was applied to two control structures of the linear plant model of Linde's heat integrated air separation, in which the MV control law output‐order dependency property and the suitability of the performance benchmark were evaluated. Some results were compared with those obtained by admitting the generalized interactor matrix instead of the DBFact filters. The results show the capability of the DBFact methodology to factor the nonminimum phase terms to provide a reliable MIMO controller performance benchmark and illustrate the importance of considering the nonminimum phase zeros and their actual directionality in the MV control law.