Real-Time Implementation of a Microcontroller-Based Coupled-Tank Water Level Control System with Feedback...

Area of Science:

• Control Engineering
• Embedded Systems
• Nonlinear Control Theory

Background:

• Accurate liquid level control is crucial in many industrial processes.
• Coupled Tank Systems (CTS) present nonlinear dynamics, challenging traditional control methods.
• Embedded systems offer a platform for real-time implementation of advanced control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate nonlinear control strategies for an embedded CTS.
• To compare the performance of Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC), Feedback Linearization (FL)-based PID, and FL-based FLC.
• To assess controllers based on overshoot, settling time, and tracking accuracy.

Main Methods:

• Development of an embedded CTS using an ARM Cortex M7 microcontroller.
• Implementation and simulation of FLC, FL-PID, and FL-FLC strategies.
• Real-time testing on a physical CTS prototype with custom software and GUI.

Main Results:

• FL-based FLC and FL-PID controllers showed improved overshoot and tracking compared to FLC.
• FLC and FL-based FLC achieved better settling times than FL-PID.
• FL-based FLC demonstrated excellent overall performance in tracking, overshoot, and settling time.

Conclusions:

• Feedback linearization techniques enhance performance on nonlinear CTS.
• FL-based FLC provides a robust and accurate solution for embedded liquid level control.
• The developed embedded system facilitates real-time validation of advanced control algorithms.