Engineering methods and software support for control of Distributed Parameter Systems

In this paper, advanced engineering methods for modeling and discrete-time control of distributed parameter systems are presented. The dynamics of these systems is modeled by means of numerical structures defined on complex-shape 3D definition domains, similarly to a vast majority of engineering analysis and software simulation tools, which are heavily utilized among the engineering community for modeling and simulation of continuum mechanics systems. Inspired by a powerful capability of these numerical software packages along with the wide acceptance and utilization of MATLAB/Simulink as a control systems design environment, the package Distributed Parameter Systems Blockset for MATLAB & Simulink is used for modeling and simulation of a closed-loop feedback control system. In this paper, heating of a complex-shape 3D body is presented as a practical example of a methodology stated in the text. The techniques offered are completed by an user-friendly web service tool, suitable for interactive solution of modeling and control problems of distributed parameter systems via Internet.