Regional System Identification and Computer Based Switchable Control of a Nonlinear Hot Air Blower System

TL;DR

This paper presents a method for controlling a nonlinear hot air blower system using region-based linear controllers with switching, implemented via computer, to improve response times and stability.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach of regional system identification and switchable linear controllers for nonlinear systems, with practical implementation and testing.

Findings

Effective control achieved with small rise and settling times.

Controller switching based on input regions reduces discontinuity effects.

Practical implementation demonstrates real-time control of nonlinear plant.

Abstract

This paper describes the design and implementation of linear controllers with a switching condition for a nonlinear hot air blower system (HABS) process trainer PT326. The system is interfaced with a computer through a USB based data acquisition module and interfacing circuitry. A calibration equation is implemented through computer in order to convert the amplified output of the sensor to temperature. Overall plant is nonlinear; therefore, system identification is performed in three different regions depending upon the plant input. For these three regions, three linear controllers are designed with closed-loop system having small rise time, settling time and overshoot. Switching of controllers is based on regions defined by plant input. In order to avoid the effect of discontinuity, due to switching of linear controllers, parameters of all linear controllers are taken closer to each other. Finally, discretized controllers along with switching condition are implemented for the plant through computer and practical results are demonstrated.