Self-tuning controller design for a nonlinear engine testing dynamometer

Fundamental to the testing of engines is the control of the dynamometer torque loop within an engine test cell. Conventional manually tuned PID controllers are required to be continually adjusted/re-tuned over the performance range of the engine; a time consuming task which neither guarantees optimality or repeatability. Simulation studies involving mathematical models have indicated that potential significant improvements are possible when use is made of self-tuning pole-placement and self-tuning PID strategies. The paper highlights the need for a good understanding of the many underlying mathematical concepts, as well as the limitations, of standard theoretical control system design techniques when dealing with practical/industrial systems