Automatic Synthesis of Both the Topology and Tuning of a Common Parameterized Controller for Two Families of Plants using Genetic Programming

This paper demonstrates that genetic programming can be used to automatically create the design for both the topology and parameter values (tuning) for a common parameterized controller for all the plants in two families of plants that are representative of typical industrial processes. The genetically evolved controller is "general" in the sense that it contains free variables representing the characteristics of the particular plant. The genetically evolved controller outperforms the controller designed with conventional techniques. In addition, the genetically evolved controller infringes on an early patented invention in the field of control.