Design and implementation of FOPID controllers by PSO, GSA and PSOGSA for MagLev system

This paper puts forward the design of PID and FOPID controllers along with its validation through hardware implementation in the Maglev system. The purpose of this work is not only to stabilize a ferromagnetic ball but also to control its position to track a reference signal. The designs have been carried out using the optimizing algorithms namely, the Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and a hybrid of both the algorithms i.e. PSOGSA. The experimental set up is manufactured by Feedback Instruments (Model No 33-210). The experimental results obtained using a wide variety of test signals prove that the hybrid algorithm PSOGSA is better than its individual counterparts with satisfactory transient and steady state responses and also the performance of FOPID is an improved one compared to that of PID.