Introduction to Fractional-Order Control: A Practical Laboratory Approach. Issue 17 (2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thomson, Dean; Padula, Fabrizio
• Is Part Of: IFAC-PapersOnLine. Volume 55:Issue 17(2022)
• Page Start: 126
• Page End: 131
• Publication Date: 2022
• Subjects: Education -- fractional-order control -- automatic control laboratory -- heat conduction; Automatic control -- Periodicals; 629.805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ifacol.2022.09.268
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2405-8963

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper we propose the use of a temperature control problem as a method to introduce fractional modeling and control to students. The control problem is based on a simple laboratory setup: a heated aluminum rod that can be conveniently modeled from first principles by using fractional systems. The construction of the experiment only requires cheap components and can be easily replicated. Once a model is obtained, the student can control the temperature of the rod by using different control algorithms, fractional and integer, thus experiencing first-hand the benefits of fractional control and, more in general, exploring advanced control paradigms.