Maximum sensitivity (Ms)-based I-PD controller design for the control of integrating processes with time delay

Integrating processes, whose one or more poles are located at the origin, are common in the process industry. This paper focuses on maximum sensitivity (Ms)-based control of these types of processes. Integral–proportional derivative (I-PD) controllers are designed by exploiting the direct synthesis method for different forms of integrating processes. The suggested design approach is based on comparing the characteristic equation of the closed-loop system, which comprises the integrating system and I-PD controller with a lead/lag filter, with the desired characteristic equation. Simple and analytical adjusting rules are followed to determine the parameters of the I-PD controller and the lead/lag filter according to desired robustness specified by maximum sensitivity (Ms). The formulas provided contain process transfer function parameters and a tuning parameter that is used for setting the desired Ms. The benefits of the proposed technique are demonstrated by simulation examples and a real-time application of cart position control on an experimental set-up. Comparisons with some reported proportional–integral–derivative (PID) and I-PD design techniques are presented to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed design method more evidently.