Marcel J. Castro-Sitiriche

Design and Implementation of Parallel Fuzzy PID Controller for High-Performance Brushless Motor Drives: An Integrated Environment for Rapid Control Prototyping

This paper presents an integrated environment for the rapid prototyping of a robust fuzzy proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller that allows rapid realization of novel designs. Both the design of the fuzzy PID controller and its integration with the classical PID in a global control system are developed. The architecture of the fuzzy PID controller is basically composed of three parallel fuzzy subcontrollers. Then, the parallel subcontrollers are grouped together to form the overall fuzzy PID controller. The fuzzy proportional, integral, and derivative gains are direct output from the parallel fuzzy subcontrollers and are derived in the error domain. Thus, the proposed architecture presents an alternative to control schemes employed so far. The integrated controller is formulated and implemented in real time, using the speed control of a brushless drive system as a test bed. The design, analysis, and implementation stages are carried out entirely using a dSPACE DS1104 digital-signal-processor-based real-time data acquisition control system and MATLAB/Simulink environment. Experimental results show that the proposed hybrid fuzzy PID controller produces superior control performance than the conventional PID controllers, particularly in handling nonlinearities and external disturbances.

DSP-Based Laboratory Implementation of Hybrid Fuzzy-PID Controller Using Genetic Optimization for High-Performance Motor Drives

This paper presents a real-time implementation of a genetic-based hybrid fuzzy-proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller for industrial motor drives. Both the design of fuzzy-PID (FPID) controller and its integration with the conventional PID in global control system to produce a hybrid design are demonstrated. A genetic optimization technique is used to determine the optimal values of the scaling factors of the output variables of the FPID controller. The objective is to utilize the best attributes of the PID and FPID controllers to provide a controller which will produce better response than either the PID or FPID controller. The principle of the hybrid controller is to use a PID controller, which performs satisfactorily in most cases, while keeping in the background a FPID controller, which is ready to take over the PID controller when severe disturbances occur. The hybrid controller is formulated and implemented in real time, using the speed control of a brushless drive system as a testbed. The design, analysis, and implementation stages are carried out entirely using a dSPACE DS1104 digital-signal-processor-based real-time data acquisition control system and MATLAB/Simulink environment. Experimental results show that the proposed FPID controller-based genetic optimization produces better control performance than the conventional PID controllers, particularly in handling nonlinearities and external disturbances.

Implementation of Artificial Neural Network-Based Tracking Controller for High-Performance Stepper Motor Drives

Two distinct multilayer perception neural networks (NNs) are implemented via laboratory experiment to simultaneously identify and adaptively control the trajectory tracking of a hybrid step motor assumed to operate in a high-performance drives environment. That is, a neural network identifier (NNI) which captures the nonlinear dynamics of the stepper motor drive system (SMDS) over any arbitrary time interval in its range of operation, and a neural network controller (NNC) to provide the necessary control actions as to achieve trajectory tracking of the rotor speed. The exact form of the control law is unknown, and must be estimated by the NNC. Consequently, the NNC is constructed as a nonlinear unknown function depending on the current state of the drive system supplies by the NNI and the reference trajectory we wish the outputs to follow. The two NNs are online trained using dynamic back-propagation algorithm. The composite structure is used as a speed controller for the SMDS. Performance of the composite controller is evaluated through a laboratory experiment. Experimental results show the effectiveness of this approach, and demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed controller in high-performance drives

Sustainable wellbeing education in engineering

Notions of human wellbeing can be used to evaluate and plan technological innovation and engineering design. However, current engineering practices and most engineering education curricula do not adequately deal with wellbeing. A set of interdisciplinary courses at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez are proposed by the authors to fill this gap and to provide a transition to an engineering curriculum integrated with community wellbeing. These courses will enroll engineering students alongside non-engineering students. One of such courses was offered for the first time during the Spring 2012 and its preliminary assessment results are presented. This new course incorporates the framework of Appropriate Technology to link traditional goals of engineering-technology innovation with what should be their ultimate goal: to enhance human wellbeing and flourishing. The course involves faculty members from 8 different departments and integrates topics such as ethics, economics, technology innovation, social entrepreneurship, renewable energy, agriculture, philosophy of technology, and community participation. The course is structured as a sequence of weekly modules, each focusing on one area relevant to develop a holistic perspective of appropriate technology. To promote coherence around the central theme of wellbeing, a set of faculty planning meetings, including a day long retreat, were held. This process will enable the transition from multidisciplinary convergence to interdisciplinary coherence.

DSP-Based Implementation of Fuzzy-PID Controller Using Genetic Optimization for High Performance Motor Drives

This paper presents a real-time implementation of a genetic-based hybrid fuzzy-PID controller for industrial motor drives. Both the design of fuzzy-PID controller and its integration with the conventional PID in global control system to produce a hybrid design is demonstrated. A genetic optimization technique is used to determine the optimal values of the scaling factors of the output variables of the fuzzy-PID controller. The objective is to utilize the best attributes of the PID and fuzzy-PID controllers to provide a controller, which will produce better response than either the PID or the fuzzy-PID controller. The principle of the hybrid controller is to use a PID controller, which performs satisfactorily in most cases, while keeping in the background, a fuzzy-PID controller, which, is ready to take over the PID controller when severe disturbs occur. The hybrid controller is formulated and implemented in real-time, using the speed control of a brushless drive system as a testbed. The design, analysis, and implementation stages are carried out entirely using a dSPACE DS1104 digital signal processor (DSP)-based real-time data acquisition control (DAC) system, and MATLAB/Simulink environment. Experimental results show that the proposed fuzzy- PID controller-based genetic optimization produces better control performance than the conventional PID controllers, particularly in handling nonlinearities and external disturbances.

Work in progress - integration of hands-on-laboratory experience of power electronics and renewable energy applications

This work-in-progress presents the research and educational activities designed to create a synergy related to aspects of the power electronics laboratory experience using alternative energy, and dissemination of knowledge related to the impact of renewable energy as part of the solution to achieve a sustainable future & economy for the society, as well as to the national security based on the reality and needs of Puerto Rico. The work-in-progress is focused on two areas: 1) Integration of hands-on laboratory experiences with undergraduate power electronics courses and renewable energy applications 2) Undergraduate research experience on power electronics and systems with selected power electronics topologies for renewable applications with a special focus to the reality of a geographical region (for our case Puerto Rico). Finally, its also intended with this paper to create an interest in other academic institutions about the importance and need of an electrical engineering program which should include power electronics, renewable energy, and lab experience as part of their curriculum for the benefit of their countries.

On the links between sustainable well-being and electric energy consumption

Access to electric energy is one of the drivers of wellbeing and universal access to energy has recently been identified as an important goal in the international community. A data-driven analysis of electric energy consumption and subjective wellbeing indicators is introduced to promote a broad conversation about relationships between energy poverty, global equity, subjective wellbeing measurements and good quality of life. The proposed approach directly focuses on the overall goal of attaining good and long lasting lives, the implications for future generations, the importance of ecosystems in enabling sustainable wellbeing and the needed capabilities in communities to flourish. Eventually, the proposed pathway should lead to a capabilities approach assessment for appropriate technologies. The results point out that although there is an important relationship between electric energy consumption and human wellbeing, a deeper look at electric energy access, subjective wellbeing indicators, local capabilities, and participatory decision making processes is needed to better prepare and implement long-term energy plans at local and global levels.

Work in progress — Leveraging accreditation efforts to foster innovation in engineering education

In its continued quest for excellence in engineering education, the College of Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez (UPRM) has unified accreditation activities, formal studies in engineering education, and work on social, ethical, and global issues under a holistic umbrella in the reformed Office for Strategic Engineering Education Development (SEED). This integrated approach is founded on the philosophy that a holistic preparation of engineering professionals with diverse academic activities will spawn important impacts beyond the borders of UPRM, and the recognition that achieving and measuring these impacts requires implementation of best practices coupled with formal assessment and research. This paper will describe the framework, strategies and procedures that underpin the new SEED Office. As leadership and active participation of the faculty are essential to advancing and maintaining educational innovation, the SEED strategy will support faculty to implement classroom best practices based on research and assessment outcomes. The authors contend that success of the new SEED Office activities will engender a world-class engineering educational environment at UPRM.

Work in progress — Interdisciplinary integration in Philosophy of Technology

Engineering Education is devoting more attention to key areas of concern such as global awareness, environmental impact, social and political considerations in decision making, and professional ethical issues. One strand of this inquiry is Philosophy of Technology, which treats social, political, and ethical issues embedded in technologies themselves. Another is Liberal Studies, in which socio-economic and sociopolitical issues that bear on engineering and technology are investigated. In an effort to organize and merge some of the ideas related to these fields, realities, and concerns, the Interdisciplinary Group on Philosophy, Engineering and Technology was established. The Groups objectives and a description of its activities, including collaborations with other efforts and future projects, are presented.

Fuzzy Logic Applications in Electrical Drives and Power Electronics

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on fuzzy logic applications in electrical drives and power electronics. The application of fuzzy reasoning to improve the proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller is evident in the research community today to build state-of-the-art control systems. A genetic-based hybrid fuzzy-PID controller, which employs a fuzzy-PID controller integrating a classical PID controller, is presented in this section. The fuzzy-PID controller consists of three parallel fuzzy sub-controllers, namely, fuzzy-based proportional controller, fuzzy-based integral controller, and fuzzy-based derivative controller. The same technique applied to the fuzzy-based proportional controller is applied to the fuzzy-based integral controller. The controller has two inputs and one output. Genetic optimization-based approach is used to ensure the best performance of the proposed fuzzy-PID controller. The genetic optimization imitates the natural evolution process in which the fittest survive and the best genes are propagated to the next generation. The next step in the design of the fuzzy-logic-based controller is the determination of the fuzzy IF-THEN inference rules. The number of fuzzy rules that are required is equal to the product of the number of fuzzy sets that make up each of the two fuzzy input variables.