Simple Analytic Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) Controller Tuning Rules for Unstable Processes

Very simple proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller tuning rules for a wide range of stable processes are available. However, for unstable processes, the design trend is for controllers to be more complex for better performances. Here, the design concept of "simplicity" is extended to unstable processes. Simple desired closed-loop transfer functions for the direct synthesis method and simple approximations of the process time delay are utilized for unstable processes. Very simple tuning rules for PID controllers and set-point filters are obtained, yielding similar or even improved performances over previous more complicated PID controller tuning methods.