Microcontroller applications for Control Systems.
- Introduce the concepts of feeback control
- Proportional
- Derivative
- Integral
- Identify and analyze process dynamics
- Develop and code the algorithms for the PID controller
- Design, construction, and coding of an inexpensive minature thermal chamber control system
- Explain the concept of Optimal tuning using Ziegler Nichols methodology
- Describe, develop and code a fast automatic tuning system that will generate the Ziegler Nichols Open Loop tuning constants for the Temperature Control System outline on the Design page.
For the Temperature Control System developed on the Design page, the block diagram variables identified correspond to:
- SP is the Set Point, a desired temperature to be controlled
- PV is the Process Variable, the actual temperature that is being controlled
- CV is the Controlled Variable, in this case the same as the Process Variable
- Sensor is the LM35 semiconductor temperature sensor
- Controller Characteristics are the values of the Proportional. Integral, and Derivative tuning constants
- Cout is the output summation from the Proportional, Integral, and Derivative components of the controller
- Final Control Element is the Cement Resistor Heater elements
- MV is the Manipulated Variable, in this case the current flowing through the Heater elements that results in generating the temperature changes
- Process is the heat transfer from the heating elements to the temperature sensor, along with the effects of ambient temperature, airflow through the chamber, and insulation of the chamber itself. These are the variables that effect the rate and manner of the temperature changed by the heater elements.