Evolutionary design of process controllers
Dominic P. Searson · 1998
The Genetic Programming (GP) architecture offers a potentially powerful framework for 'intelligent' controller design due to its inherent matching of structure to utility. This article describes the use of GP to design discrete time single loop controllers for two different processes: a linear Auto-Regressive eXogeneous (ARX) type system and a non-linear simulated Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR), both with constraints on the actuator outputs. It is demonstrated that the GP methodology is capable of designing recursive controllers that, for a specific class of control objectives, offer similar performance to PID controllers on the nominal systems. The advantages and disadvantages of controllers designed in this way are also discussed.