Optimization of PID Controller Gain Using Evolutionary Algorithm and Swarm Intelligence

Design of the Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller for an industrial process represents a challenge due to process complexity and non-linearity. Traditional methods such as Ziegler-Nichols (ZN) for PID controller tuning do not provide an optimal gain; thus, might leave the system with potential instability condition and cause significant losses and damages to the system. This paper investigates the merits of evolutionary and swarm-based optimization algorithms in fine-tuning the parameters of a PID controller. Here, Genetic Algorithms (GAs) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm were utilized to optimize the PID controller for a DC motor system. Various fitness functions were provided for the presented algorithms to compute the performance of the controller. A new fitness function was proposed to achieve an outstanding control response for the DC motor system. Results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed methods in improving closed loop system response.