Generic model control (GMC)

Abstract

This paper presents a general framework for process controllers that rely upon a model to approximate plant behaviour. By careful selection of a performance index and an approximate plant model, it is shown that single-loop PI control, feedforward and decoupling control, multivariable regulators, time horizon matrix controllers, internal model control and process model based control can all be derived. Furthermore, nonlinear process models can be imbedded directly into the controller without resorting to linearization. This unifying framework is illustrated with a number of examples to highlight the utility of such an approach.