Robust performance design of single-input fuzzy control system for plant with time delay

Fuzzy logic has recently gained popularity in the development of robust non-linear control convenient for real-time applications, satisfying the high-performance requirements of the control systems by dealing with data imprecision and noise. There are, however, problems in designing a unique controller that will provide system stability and desirable performance in the presence of plant model uncertainties and time delays. The aim of this investigation is to develop a simple approach for the design of an incremental PI-like single-input fuzzy controller (SI FC) that ensures a robust performance in the closed-loop system for the control of industrial plants with time delays and model uncertainties. The main results are: 1) derivation of a robust performance criterion of the SI FC system in the frequency domain, employing the stabilization of the system linear part, the linearization of the fuzzy unit and the Popov stability approach; 2) development of an SI FC tuning algorithm; 3) application of the design approach for the control of air temperature in a furnace using MATLAB ^TM, and assessment of the advantages over an ordinary PI controller. The designed SI FC preserves system stability and performance for a high range of plant model uncertainties.