The self-tuning controller: comparison with human performance in the control of arterial pressure

A self-tuning controller was implemented for the automated infusion of sodium nitroprusside to lower mean arterial pressure in anesthetized dogs. The system incorporated a recursive least-squares parameter identifier and a modified minimum-variance controller. The onset delay was estimated on-line, the performance criterion included the cost of control, and requested step-changes were automatically translated into five successive smaller steps to reduce overshoot. The performance of the system in lowering mean arterial pressure was quantitatively compared with that of a well-trained anesthesiologist. In 10 runs in four animals, the automated system performed as well as the physician who devoted 100% of his attention to the task. Since the stability of the self-tuning controller cannot be guaranteed, such a system should be operated only in the presence of appropriate supervisory algorithms.