Fractional Order PID Controller Design and Tuning via Oustaloup Approximation for TCLab System

Implementing a PIλDμ controller is challenging while implementing in Industry 4.0 because of computational limitations in programmable logic controllers (PLC). The Oustaloup Approximation (OA) method is used in this study to design and tune a PIλDμ controller for the Temperature Control Lab (TCLab) system. The two extra parameters in PIλDμcontrollers increase flexibility and improve system performance in comparison to conventional proportional integral derivative (PID) controllers. The OA makes practical implementation easier in digital systems like PLC by approximating fractional operators over a certain frequency range. The most significant performance metrics one of them being overshoot have been optimized using a Genetic Algorithm (GA). The notable advantages of temperature regulation include faster reaction time and less overshooting, which are observable in the TCLab system. This study highlights the potential of PIλDμ controllers for complex temperature dependent systems and uses inexpensive experimental setups to provide insights regarding their practical applicability.