pidsim
Local Control Using the PID Algorithm
Experimental Exercises Using the PIDSim Program – Updated 12/11/03
The PIDSim program is an educational simulation that demonstrates the characteristics of the PID control algorithm. The software is written for Windows 95/98/NT computers and can be downloaded from our web site at: http://www.usbr.gov/pmts/hydraulics_lab/software/
The program simulates a very simple flow situation consisting of a submerged turnout pipe and two pools separated by a gate. A constant inflow enters the upstream pool (left hand side of the screen), and a fixed overflow weir controls the flowrate out of the downstream pool. The turnout consists of a submerged orifice in the upstream pool. The gate separating the two pools can be either an overflow gate or an undershot gate.
The gate can be operated manually, or a PID algorithm can be used to control the gate. Three control objectives are possible, upstream water level, downstream water level, or turnout discharge. The P, I, and D coefficients can be varied to provide the user with a feel for how each coefficient affects the controller action. In addition, gate and water level deadbands can be set, noise can be introduced to the water level and discharge measurements, and exponential filters can be applied to the sensor readings. The size of the various pools, gates, weirs, etc. can be adjusted, although the simulation is not intended to be used to accurately reproduce a real-world control problem.
The simulation does not consider the effects of waves or canal dynamics, such as the travel time required for a change at one end of a pool to propagate to the other end of the pool. In fact, pool sizes are specified only in terms of the surface area of the pool.
To start the simulation, run PIDSim.EXE from Windows. The simulation begins immediately. The lower display panel shows an elevation schematic of the canal. The two upper panels plot the water levels, gate positions, and
turnout
Experimental Exercises Using the PIDSim Program – Updated 12/11/03
The PIDSim program is an educational simulation that demonstrates the characteristics of the PID control algorithm. The software is written for Windows 95/98/NT computers and can be downloaded from our web site at: http://www.usbr.gov/pmts/hydraulics_lab/software/
The program simulates a very simple flow situation consisting of a submerged turnout pipe and two pools separated by a gate. A constant inflow enters the upstream pool (left hand side of the screen), and a fixed overflow weir controls the flowrate out of the downstream pool. The turnout consists of a submerged orifice in the upstream pool. The gate separating the two pools can be either an overflow gate or an undershot gate.
The gate can be operated manually, or a PID algorithm can be used to control the gate. Three control objectives are possible, upstream water level, downstream water level, or turnout discharge. The P, I, and D coefficients can be varied to provide the user with a feel for how each coefficient affects the controller action. In addition, gate and water level deadbands can be set, noise can be introduced to the water level and discharge measurements, and exponential filters can be applied to the sensor readings. The size of the various pools, gates, weirs, etc. can be adjusted, although the simulation is not intended to be used to accurately reproduce a real-world control problem.
The simulation does not consider the effects of waves or canal dynamics, such as the travel time required for a change at one end of a pool to propagate to the other end of the pool. In fact, pool sizes are specified only in terms of the surface area of the pool.
To start the simulation, run PIDSim.EXE from Windows. The simulation begins immediately. The lower display panel shows an elevation schematic of the canal. The two upper panels plot the water levels, gate positions, and
turnout