Optimizing the PID Controller by Using the Genetic Algorithm

Abstract

This paper aims to develop a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller for the Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) of the Synchronous Generator, Automatic Voltage Regulator is responsible for keeping the output voltage of the Generator constant and stable. The Automatic Voltage Regulator system can be represented by a fourth order Transfer Function. The parameters of the controller are evaluated by using the Genetic Algorithm tuning method, for this method the Genetic Algorithm Optimization toolbox in MATLAB is used. A PID controller and a PID Filter controller are developed in order to come up with the optimum controller design for the system. The performance of the Genetic Algorithm based controller has been compared with the classical Ziegler-Nichols based controller. The results show that the Genetic Algorithm based controller outperforms the Ziegler-Nichols based controller, the optimum controller design is achieved by the GA based PID filter controller.