A new tuning method for two-degree-of-freedom internal model control under parametric uncertainty

Internal model control (IMC) yields very good performance for set point tracking, but gives sluggish response for disturbance rejection problem. A two-degree-of-freedom IMC (2DOF-IMC) has been developed to overcome the weakness. However, the setting of parameter becomes a complicated matter if there is an uncertainty model. The present study proposes a new tuning method for the controller. The proposed tuning method consists of three steps. Firstly, the worst case of the model uncertainty is determined. Secondly, the parameter of set point controller using maximum peak (Mp) criteria is specified, and finally, the parameter of the disturbance rejection controller using gain margin (GM) criteria is obtained. The proposed method is denoted as Mp-GM tuning method. The effectiveness of Mp-GM tuning method has evaluated and compared with IMC-controller tuning program (IMCTUNE) as bench mark. The evaluation and comparison have been done through the simulation on a number of first order plus dead time (FOPDT) and higher order processes. The FOPDT process tested includes processes with controllability ratio in the range 0.7 to 2.5. The higher processes include second order with underdamped and third order with nonminimum phase processes. Although the two of higher order processes are considered as difficult processes, the proposed Mp-GM tuning method are able to obtain the good controller parameter even under process uncertainties.