OPTIMAL AUTO-TUNER FOR USE IN A PROCESS CONTROL NETWORK

摘要

A device and method that automatically tune a valve controller coupled to a process control loop generate a plurality of sets of tuning parameters for use by the controller, deliver a test signal, such as a blocked sinusoidal signal, to the controller to force the process control loop through a test cycle while each of the plurality of sets of tuning parameters are being used by the controller and measure a response of the process control loop during each of the test cycles. The device and method then calculate a performance index for each of the plurality of sets of tuning parameters based on the measured responses and select one of the sets of tuning parameters based on the calculated performance indices. The selected set of tuning parameters is then loaded into the controller for use during normal operation of the process control loop.