Simplified Optimization Routine for Tuning Robust Fractional Order Controllers

Fractional order controllers have been used intensively over the last decades in controlling different types of processes. The main methods for tuning such controllers are based on a frequency domain approach followed by optimization routine, generally in the form of the Matlab fminsearch, but also evolving to more complex routines, such as the genetic algorithms. An alternative to these time consuming optimization routines, a simple graphical method has been proposed. However, these graphical methods are not suitable for all combinations of the imposed performance specifications. To preserve their simplicity, but also to make these graphical methods generally applicable, a modified graphical method using a very straightforward and simple optimization routine is proposed within the paper. Two case studies are presented, for tuning fractional order PI and PD controllers.