PID Controller Research Articles

A multi-energy inertia-based coordinated voltage and frequency regulation in isolated hybrid power system using PI-TISMC

This paper proposes novel multi-energy inertia support for simultaneous frequency and voltage control of an isolated hybrid power system (IHPS). Multi-energy storage (gas inertia – hydrogen storage, thermal inertia – solar thermal storage, hydro inertia – gravity hydro storage, chemical inertia – battery energy storage) supported by demand side management (DSM) for simultaneous voltage and frequency regulation and backed by biodiesel generators, are the essential elements of IHPS. A novel control strategy of concurrent virtual droop control, virtual damping control, virtual inertia control, and virtual negative inertia control is proposed to utilise multiple inertia sources and to improve LFC and AVR performance effectively. The effective coordination of inertia sources in eradicating oscillations in IHPS, is aided by a developed cascaded proportional integral-tilt-integral-sliding mode (PI-TISMC) controller. The performance of PI-TISMC is compared with PID, PI-PID, and PI-SMC controllers. A maiden attempt has been done by training five diverse classes of optimization techniques to optimize the parameters of controllers in the present work. The results are evaluated in MATLAB and it is evident from the results that the performance of frequency control is improved by 6.5%, 7.8% and 3.4 s (over shoot, undershoot, and settling time). The performance of frequency control is improved by 6.5%, 7.8% and 3.4 s (over shoot, undershoot, and settling time). Similarly, the performance of voltage control is improved by 6.7%, 4.8% and 2.3 s (over shoot, undershoot, and settling time) by employing developed PI-TISMC controller and proposed concurrent inertia control. The combination exhibits superior performance in minimizing oscillations in IHPS due to variations in loading and solar insolation.

Enhanced Depth Control and Stability in Submersible Pylon Inspection Robots Using IMU-Based Extended Kalman Filter and PID Control

The research developed a Submersible Pylon Inspection Robot (SPIR) to clean and inspect underwater structures automatically, facing challenges in stability and depth of operation. Integrating the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) with the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF), as well as implementing customized PID controls, aims to improve the accuracy and stability of SPIR in dynamic underwater environments. The results show that the SPIR control system can follow the reference depth at shallow depths well, but has difficulty maintaining stability at deeper depths. The position error graph on the Z-axis shows the initial fluctuation that decreases over time, reflecting the increased calibration. The use of drive motors also shows different working patterns, with some motors active in depth settings and others for stabilization. This study shows that the integration approach of IMU, EKF, and PID control can improve SPIR performance, although further adjustments are required to meet the extreme challenges in underwater environments.

Optimizing actual PID control for walking quadruped soft robots using genetic algorithms

The construction of soft robots’s models and controllers remains a significant challenge. In this paper, we propose a new walking control method for the quadruped soft robot named genetic algorithm-optimized PID. First, we construct the control model correlating valve voltage with leg bending based on the geometrical analysis. This modeling approach leverages the characteristics of novel leg structure and bend sensor, thereby streamlining the control model for locomotion of quadruped soft robotic. Moreover, We apply the genetic algorithm to automatically tune parameters and optimize PID controllers, aiming to enhance control performance. The application of the proposed method to the walking control has been uniquely demonstrated on a real 3D-printed quadruped soft robot. Experimental results indicate that the genetic algorithm-optimized PID controller significantly improves trajectory tracking compared to the Ziegler-Nichols tuning method. This optimization increases the robot’s walking speed from 5 mm/s to 8 mm/s, reduces the error rate by 2.4064%, decreases overshoot by 12.55%, and shortens response time by 0.5 s, substantially enhancing the controller’s overall performance. Additionally, compared to particle swarm optimization, the proposed method further improves performance by reducing the error rate by 0.4079%, overshoot by 8.4%, and response time by 1.0 s.

Optimization of PID Control of a Snake Robot’s Winding Crawling Motion

This paper explores the application of PID control to the winding crawling motion of a snack robot. Snack robots, mimicking the movement of real life limbless reptile, are designed with ultiple connected segments equipped with actuators and sensors, enabling them to navigate complex environments. The study aims to optimize the ground crawling behavior and obstacle avoidance f the snake-like robot using MATLAB simulation software. Initially, the robot’s joints were modeled in SolidWorks, and their degrees of freedom were programmed in MATLAB’s Simulink to enable controlled rotation. The PID control system was added to manage the robot’s motion, ensuring smooth and accurate crawling.

Research on obstacle avoidance of underactuated autonomous underwater vehicle based on offline reinforcement learning

Abstract The autonomous navigation and obstacle avoidance capabilities of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are essential for ensuring their safe navigation and long-term, efficient operation. However, the complexity of the marine environment poses significant challenges to safe and effective obstacle avoidance. To address this issue, this study proposes an AUV obstacle avoidance control algorithm based on offline reinforcement learning. This method adopts the Conservative Q-learning (CQL) algorithm, which is based on the Soft Actor-Critic (SAC) framework. It learns from obtained historical obstacle avoidance data and ultimately achieves a favorable obstacle avoidance control strategy. In this method, PID and SAC control algorithms are utilized to generate expert obstacle avoidance data to construct a diversified offline database. Additionally, based on the line-of-sight (LOS) guidance method and artificial potential field (APF) method, information regarding the distance and orientation of targets and obstacles is incorporated into the state space, and heading and obstacle avoidance reward terms are integrated into the reward function design. The algorithm successfully guides the AUV in autonomous navigation and dynamic obstacle avoidance in three-dimensional space. Furthermore, the algorithm exhibits a certain degree of anti-interference capability against uncertain disturbances and ocean currents, enhancing the safety and robustness of the AUV system. Simulation results fully demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the intelligent obstacle avoidance method based on offline reinforcement learning. This study highlights the profound significance of offline reinforcement learning in enabling robust and reliable control systems for AUVs, paving the way for enhanced operational capabilities in challenging marine environments.

Modeling and Experimental Validation of a Cable-Driven Robot for 3D Printing Construction

Abstract Cable-driven robots are characterized by a large workspace, high speed and load-to-weight ratio, providing a new technology approach for large-scale autonomous 3D construction of lunar surface shelters. A novel deployable cable-driven construction 3D printer (CDCP) is developed in this study. Guiding pulleys and cable sagging are considered and modeled to improve the accuracy of the system. A fuzzy adaptive differential evolution PID (FDEPID) control is proposed to reduce end-effector motion errors in Cartesian space and thus improve printing quality and stability. Concentric and zigzag infill strategies are compared to optimize printing efficiency and infill effectiveness in path planning. Finally, experiments are carried out to validate the proposed FDEPID control and path planning strategies which demonstrate the great potential of the developed cable-driven printer in the construction of lunar architecture.

Chaotic-Based Improved Henry Gas Solubility Optimization Algorithm: Application to Electric Motor Control

This study presents a novel meta-heuristic optimization method that combines the Henry Gas Solubility Optimization (HGSO) technique with symmetric chaotic systems. By leveraging the randomness of chaotic systems, the parameters of the HGSO algorithm that require random generation are produced through chaotic processes, allowing the algorithm to exhibit chaotic behavior in its pursuit of optimal values. This innovative approach is termed Chaotic Henry Gas Solubility Optimization (CHGSO), with the primary objective of enhancing the performance of the HGSO method. The randomness of the data obtained from chaotic systems was validated using NIST-800-22 tests. The CHGSO method was applied to both 47 benchmark functions and the optimization of parameters for a PID controller utilized in the speed control of a DC motor. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method, it was compared with several widely recognized algorithms in the literature, including PSO, WOA, GWO, EA, SA, and the original HGSO algorithm. The results demonstrate that the proposed method achieved the best performance in 43 of the benchmark functions, outperforming the other algorithms. In the context of controller design, the PID parameters were optimized using the error-based ITSE objective function. According to the controller responses, the proposed method has achieved the best results in the simulation studies, with a settling time of 0.035 and a rise time of 0.014 without overshooting, and in the experimental studies, with a settling time of 0.15 and a settling time of 1.4%. When the results are examined, it is observed that it has achieved successful results in the controller design problem.

Hover Flight Improvement of a Quadrotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Using PID Controllers with an Integral Effect Based on the Riemann–Liouville Fractional-Order Operator: A Deterministic Approach

The hovering flight of a quadrotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) refers to maintaining the aircraft in a fixed position in the air, without lateral, vertical, or rotational movements, using only the vehicle’s control systems to maintain proper balance in all spatial dimensions. Algorithms and control systems have been developed to continuously adjust motor speeds to counteract deviations from the desired position and achieve effective hovering flight. This paper proposes a set of PID controllers with an integral effect based on the Riemann–Liouville fractional-order approach to improve the hovering flight of a quadrotor UAV. This research innovates by introducing a set of fractional-order PID controllers for UAV hover stability, which offer better adaptability to non-linear dynamics and robustness than traditional PID controllers. Also presented is the development of new performance metrics (MSE, BQC-LR), which allow for more comprehensive control system evaluations. A thorough comparative analysis with conventional control methods demonstrates the superior performance of fractional-order control in real-world simulations. The numerical simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed Fractional Integral Action PID Controller in the control of UAV hovering flight, while comparative analyses against a classical controller emphasize the benefits of the fractional-order approach in terms of control accuracy.

Transition flight of a concept of lifting-wing quadcopter

Abstract This paper presents the concept of a lifting-wing quadcopter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a vertical take-off and landing vehicle (VTOL) with a rear wing, a canard at its front and four propellers. The aerodynamic surfaces are designed so that their mounting angle can be adjusted and fixed before flight, so its performance in transition flight can be studied for a combination of wing and canard mounting angles. A dynamic model using rigid-body equations of motion is presented, which is used to compute the transition flight trajectory from hover to cruise in horizontal flight. The trim conditions were computed for a range of fixed wing and canard mounting angles to study the effects of these variables on transition trajectory parameters such as required power, body pitch angle and propeller rotation speeds as a function of flight speed. Furthermore, a transition flight control algorithm is presented, which has a cascaded PID controller and a reference scheduler to switch between the proper reference states, controls and control allocation matrix. Finally, the transition control algorithm of the conceptual UAV is numerically simulated. Results show that this configuration can perform a fast and smooth transition from hover to cruise flight using the proposed flight control algorithm, substantially reducing required propulsive power in cruise of up to 64%. The application of the control algorithm made notable a transition manoeuver that consists of negatively inclining the aircraft at a negative pitch angle, initially at high intensity, and as the final cruising speed approaches, the inclination is attenuated until the equilibrium pitch angle is reached. Simultaneously with the negative inclination of the pitch angle, there is a slight drop in altitude, which is quickly resumed as the trajectory develops until the final cruising speed. Lastly, this aircraft configuration can be widely used in applications where performance gains in operations currently carried out by multicopters, which cover large distances and need long flight time, would bring great operational advantages.

Investigation into the Yaw Control of a Twin-Rotor 10 MW Wind Turbine

Multi-rotor system (MRS) wind turbines can provide a competitive alternative to large-scale wind turbines due to their significant advantages in reducing capital, transportation, and operating costs. The main challenges of MRS wind turbines include the complexity of the supporting structure, mathematical modeling of the aerodynamic interaction between the rotors, and the yaw control mechanism. In this work, MATLAB 2018b/Simulink® software was used to model and simulate a twin-rotor wind turbine (TRWT), and an NREL 5 MW wind turbine was used to verify the model outputs. Different random signals of wind velocities and directions were used as inputs to each rotor to generate different thrust loads, inducing twisting moments on the main tower. A yaw controller system was adapted to ensure that the turbine constantly faced the wind to maximize the power output. A DC motor was used as the mechanism’s actuator. The goal was to achieve a compromise between aligning the rotors with the wind direction and reducing the torque induced on the main tower. A comparison between linear and nonlinear controllers was performed to test the yaw system actuator’s response at different wind speeds and directions. Sliding mode control (SMC) was chosen, as it was suitable for the nonlinearity of the system, and its performance showed a faster response compared with the PID controller, with a settling time of 0.17 sec and a very low overshoot. The controller used the transfer function of the motor to generate a sliding surface. The dynamic responses of the controlled angle are shown and discussed. The controller showed promising results, with a suitable response and low chattering signals.

Frequency stabilization of interconnected diverse power systems with integration of renewable energies and energy storage systems

Recent improvements in renewable energy sources (RESs) and their extensive use in the power industry have created significant issues for their operation, security, and management. Due to the ongoing reduction of power system inertia, maintaining operational frequency at its nominal value and minimizing tie-line power variations constitute essential variables for these improvements. A novel improved frequency stabilization approach based on modified fractional order tilt controller is presented for interconnected diverse power systems with integration of sea wave energy, photovoltaic, wind, energy storage system and biodiesel generator. The fractional order tilt integral double derivative (FOTIDD2) is a novel controller that is developed to address the frequency stabilization problems of a hybrid power structure that is integrated with sources of clean energy and devices for storing energy. A recent optimization algorithm inspired by human behavior called mother optimization algorithm (MOA) is applied to adjust the coefficient of the proposed cascaded controller. The FOTIDD2 controller was compared with other control methods in terms of its transient performance, in order to determine its effectiveness. Further, the mother optimization algorithm results are compared with those of sine cosine algorithm (SCA), fox optimization algorithm (FOA), and grey wolf optimization (GWO). FOTIDD2 controller was found to be more effective than PID controller in respect of reducing overshoot (Osh) by 79.31%, 83.78% and 67.99%, improving time settlement by 33.22%, 29.87%, and 22.45% and reducing undershoot (Ush) by 79.13%, 89.34%, and 86.90% for the (∆F1), (∆F2), and (∆Ptie), respectively.

Fuzzy Logic-Based Smart Control of Wind Energy Conversion System Using Cascaded Doubly Fed Induction Generator

This paper introduces a robust system designed to effectively manage and enhance the electrical output of a Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) using a Cascaded Doubly Fed Induction Generator (CDFIG) connected to a power grid. The solution that was investigated is the use of a CDFIG that is based on a variable-speed wind power conversion chain. It comprises the electrical and mechanical connection of two DFIGs through their rotors. The originality of this paper lies in the innovative application of a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) in combination with a CDFIG for a WECS. To demonstrate that this novel configuration enhances control precision and performance in WECSs, we conducted a comparison of three different controllers: a proportional–integral (PI) controller, a fractional PID (FPID) controller, and a fuzzy logic controller (FLC). The results highlight the potential of the proposed system in optimizing power generation and improving overall system stability. It turns out that, according to the first results, the FLC performed optimally in terms of tracking and rejecting disturbances. In terms of peak overshoot for power and torque, the findings indicate that the proposed FLC-based technique (3.8639% and 6.9401%) outperforms that of the FOPID (11.2458% and 10.9654%) and PI controllers (11.4219% and 11.0712%), respectively. These results demonstrate the superior performance of the FLC in reducing overshoot, providing better control stability for both power and torque. In terms of rise time, the findings show that all controllers perform similarly for both power and torque. However, the FLC demonstrates superior performance with a rise time of 0.0016 s for both power and torque, compared to the FOPID (1.9999 s and 1.9999 s) and PI (0.0250 s and 0.0247 s) controllers. This highlights the FLC’s enhanced responsiveness in controlling power and torque. In terms of settling time, all three controllers have almost the same performance of 1.9999. An examination of total harmonic distortion (THD) was also employed to validate the superiority of the FLC. In terms of power quality, the findings prove that a WECS based on an FLC (0.93%) has a smaller total harmonic distortion (THD) compared to that of the FOPID (1.21%) and PI (1.51%) controllers. This system solves the problem by removing the requirement for sliding ring–brush contact. Through the utilization of the MATLAB/Simulink environment, the effectiveness of this control and energy management approach was evaluated, thereby demonstrating its capacity to fulfill the objectives that were set.

Design and Implementation of Small Modular Amphibious Robot System

Various marine engineering facilities have been eroded by marine organisms and wind waves for a long time, resulting in different types of damage to the surface of marine engineering facilities, such as the pile legs of offshore platforms. Therefore, in order to carry out safety inspections and other work on marine engineering facilities, a small amphibious robot structure system and a set of control systems adapted to it are independently developed. Various problems such as the modular design of the structure, composite motion mode, adsorption stability, wall adaptability of the crawling mode, and flaw localization have been solved by means of three-dimensional modeling, mechanical analysis, simulation, and electronic design. At the same time, a set of control systems including hardware and software is developed for the amphibious robot. In order to improve the stability and efficiency of the amphibious robot working underwater, a sliding mode control algorithm based on the exponential reaching law and saturation function is designed. For the fixed depth and fixed heading control functions, the sliding mode control algorithm and the PID control algorithm are simulated and compared. Finally, several types of experiments are carried out for the amphibious robot. The simulation and experimental results show that all the functions of the amphibious robot meet work requirements, such as the motion performance of the composite motion mode. Compared with the PID control algorithm, the sliding mode control algorithm has a faster response speed and better stability, which is conducive to the efficient and stable work of the amphibious robot underwater.

Defining and Mitigating Flow Instabilities in Open Channels Subjected to Hydropower Operation: Formulations and Experiments

A thorough literature review was conducted on the effects of free surface oscillation in open channels, highlighting the risks of the occurrence of positive and negative surge waves that can lead to overtopping. Experimental analyses were developed to focus on the instability of the flow due to constrictions, gate blockages, and the start-up and shutdown of hydropower plants. A forebay at the downstream end of a tunnel or canal provides the right conditions for the penstock inlet and regulates the temporary demand of the turbines. In tests with a flow of 60 to 100 m3/h, the effects of a gradually and rapidly varying flow in the free surface profile were analyzed. The specific energy and total momentum are used in the mathematical characterization of the boundaries along the free surface water profile. A sudden turbine stoppage or a sudden gate or valve closure can lead to hydraulic drilling and overtopping of the infrastructure wall. At the same time, a PID controller, if programmed appropriately, can reduce flooding by 20–40%. Flooding is limited to 0.8 m from an initial amplitude of 2 m, with a dissipation wave time of between 25 and 5 s, depending on the flow conditions and the parameters of the PID characteristics.

Non-linear cascade control with gain-scheduling and startup control strategy study for thermionic space reactor TOPAZ-II

The TOPAZ-II thermionic space reactor system, which was designed by the Soviet Union, is characterized by its high degree of nonlinearity and positive temperature reactivity feedback. The thermionic space reactor exhibits characteristics of high inertia and significant delay in controlling its electrical power and outlet temperature. The simple PID controller is difficult to achieve good performance. To carry out controller design for thermionic space reactor, the simulation platform for thermionic space reactor is developed based on coupling between reactor system thermal-hydraulic code RESYS and control system simulator in this study. After that, based on the cascade control strategy and gain-scheduling, the reactor thermal controller, electric power controller, outlet temperature controller applicable for the full power range is designed with transfer function model and frequency domain analysis method. To validate the nonlinear electric power controller performance, the continuous minor step disturbances, major step disturbances, and ramp variation of electric power setpoint is simulated. The performance of outlet temperature controller is verified with the simulation result of step and ramp variation of outlet temperature setpoint. Thereafter, the start-up process of the thermionic space reactor TOPAZ-II is simulated and analyzed. The simulation result reveals that the controller designed in this paper can overcome the nonlinearity of the thermionic space reactor system and has good performance throughout the entire power range. Compared to traditional simple PID controller, the cascade controller has better performance and can achieve good control performance even in situations where simple PID controllers cannot function properly.

Tuning PID controller parameters of the DC motor with PSO algorithm

AbstractDirect current (DC) motors have superior features such as operating at different speeds, being affordable and easily controllable. Therefore, DC motors have many uses, such as machine tools and robotic systems in many factories up to the textile industry. The PID controller is one of the most common methods used to control DC motors. PID is a feedback controller with the terms Proportional, Integral, and Derivative. The proper selection of P, I, and D parameters is critical for achieving the desired control in the PID controller. In this study, the transfer function of a DC motor is first obtained, and the speed of the DC motor is controlled by the PID controller using this transfer function. Then, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), an optimization method based on swarm intelligence, is used to adjust the P, I, and D parameters. By using the obtained P, I, and D coefficients, the speed of the DC motor is tried to be controlled, and the effect of the filter coefficient on the system output is examined. The performance of the proposed PSO-PID controller with successful results is given in tables and graphics. Control and optimization studies are carried out with MATLAB Simulink.

Design, Simulation, and Implementation of MRAC Controller with PMAC Target Hardware for Controlling 7.5 m Antenna

The article presents the design of an adaptive controller, simulation, code generation, and porting of the algorithm into target hardware, movement of the 7.5 m antenna, testing, verification, and validation of theoretical and experimental results of the antenna system. The conventional servo control methods based on PID controllers are being used for tracking X-band missions. As the need for higher data rates is increasing, missions are switching to the Ka band, as a result the satellite ground stations will have to track the satellite in the Ka band where the antenna band beam width is narrowed by a factor of 3 when compared to the X-band antenna beamwidth. These challenges had driven the designer to design and implement a Model Reference Adaptive Controller over PID to improve and achieve the tracking accuracy of less than 25m° from the present 30 m°. Thus, consistent and constant performance is achieved throughout the trajectory tracking of the mission using PID + MRAC (Model Reference Adaptive Control). MRAC uses a reference model that specifies the desired response of the antenna system and adjusts the controller parameters such that the plant follows the reference to achieve the desired performance. The entire drive chain modules and their parameters are considered in the design of the plant, namely MRAC controller, PID controller, Power Drive electronic (Rectifier and Inverter), Servo Motor, mechanical torque coupling, Gear reducer, Slew Ring Bearing (SRB), and absolute encoder modules of each axis for position feedback from the antenna. Model Order Reduction of higher-order actual Plant model to the standard second-order system is optimized. The modelled and analysed outcomes of the MRAC scheme using the Modified MIT are demonstrated. The developed model is tested against step, ramp, parabolic, satellite trajectory, velocity and acceleration inputs in MATLAB/Simulink and validated with practical/ experimental test results with antenna load at the satellite ground Station. The achieved results indicate that the PID + MRAC controller has significant and consistent performance improvements when compared to the PID controller alone.

A Fuzzy Adaptive PID Coordination Control Strategy Based on Particle Swarm Optimization for Auxiliary Power Unit

Range extender hybrid vehicles have the advantages of better dynamics and longer driving range while reducing pollution and fuel consumption. This work focuses on the control strategy of an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) operating in power generation mode for a range-extender mixer truck. When an operating point is switched, the engine speed and generator torque of the APU will switch accordingly. In order to ensure APU fast and stable adjustment to meet the power demand of the vehicle as well as operate at the lowest fuel consumption, a fuzzy adaptive PID coordination control strategy based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) is proposed to control the APU. The optimal operating curve of APU is calculated by coupling the engine and generator first. Then, the adaptive PID algorithm is used to control the speed and torque of the APU in a dual closed loop. The PSO is used to optimize the PID control parameter. Through hardware-in-the-loop tests under different working conditions, the control strategy is verified to be effective and real-time. The results show that the proposed control strategy can coordinate the operating of engine and generator and control the APU to track target power stably and quickly under minimum fuel consumption. Compared with traditional PID control strategy, the overshoot, regulation time and steady-state error are reduced by 55.1%, 11.1% and 77.3%, respectively.

Research on anti-swing control system of slewing crane based on fuzzy PID.

The slewing crane is easily affected by the wind and the manipulation level of the operator when it is working, which in turn impacts its swing angle, affects the working efficiency and safety of the crane. Toimprove the operation safety andreduce the swing angle, this study design and research the anti-swing control system for the slewing crane. Firstly, based on the Lagrange equation, the dynamic model of the crane hoisting system is established. Then, the mechanical anti-swing mechanism driven by a four-motor rope is established. Finally, based on fuzzy PID control, an anti-swing platform is established, and the performance of anti-swing control is verified. Compared to no anti-swing control, the in-plane swing angle θ1 and out-of-plane swing angle θ2 of the lifting arm are reduced by 88% and 75% respectively. The results show that the four-motor rope-driven anti-swing mechanism can achieve better anti-swing effect, which provides an effective swing suppression method for the slewing crane in the actual operation.

Load Frequency PID Controller Design Based on Pole Placement Method of an Islanded Microgrid

Load Frequency PID Controller Design Based on Pole Placement Method of an Islanded Microgrid