Fractionel Order PID Controller Design using Particle Swarm Optimization for an Arc Welding Machine Fed via a Bridgeless PFC Converter

Abstract

This article presents the design of the fractional order PID controller by using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm for controlling an arc welding machine supplied via a bridgeless power factor correction converter (PFC), This welding system is able to enhance the power quality of the arc welding power supply (AWPS), in welding circuit side, the PSO algorithm is used used to determine the unknown parameters of the FOPID controller such as $K_{p}K_{i},\ K_{d},\ \lambda$ and $\mu$ by minimizing an aggregated cost function based on the integral time absolute error (ITAE) between the welding voltage $V_{\mathrm{w}}$ and its reference, this proposed controller is used to regulate the welding voltage and current. Also, in grid grid side, another control scheme uses a FO-PID controller to manage the DC-link capacitor voltage Vdc of a bridgeless PFC converter. The PSO-FOPID controller have operated cooperatively with FOPID controller, like faster response to the welding load variations, which results in an improved of weld bead quality and obtained the excellent welding performance. The performance of the optimal controller is examined in MATLAB/Simulink environment. It is also compared with the performance while using other controllers such as the PI and FOPID controllers. In addition the designed controllers gives a good welding voltage regulation under different operating condition, also the AWPS has a good power quality in terms of THD and PF.