Decoupling Controller Design for a Multivariable Time Delay System

A decoupling controller for multivariable time delay system, using Internal Model Control (IMC) structure has been presented. This proposed controller structure is loosely comparable to the so named "centralized inverted decoupling controller" reported earlier. However, the proposed controller uses the IMC paradigm in an innovative way and differs in detail from the previously reported controller. The proposed structures and corresponding design methods have been described. Performance of the resulting controllers has been illustrated using an industrially important (Distillation Column) highly coupled 2X2 square system having multiple time delays. Closed loop system performances have been analyzed considering tracking, disturbance rejection and robustness with respect to parametric uncertainty. Comparison has been done between this proposed approach and a predecessor approach.