A Novel Control Hardware Architecture for Implementation of Fractional-Order Identification and Control Algorithms Applied to a Temperature Prototype

In this paper, the conceptualization of a control hardware architecture aimed to the implementation of integer- and fractional-order identification and control algorithms is presented. The proposed hardware architecture combines the capability of implementing PC-based control applications with embedded applications on microprocessor- and FPGA-based real-time targets. In this work, the potential advantages of this hardware architecture over other available alternatives are discussed from different perspectives. The experimental prototype that has been designed and built to evaluate the control hardware architecture proposed in this work is also described in detail. The thermal-based process taking place in the prototype is characterized for being reconfigurable and exhibiting fractional behaviour, which results in a suitable equipment for the purpose of fractional-order identification and control. In order to demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed control hardware architecture, integer- and fractional-order identification and control algorithms implemented in various control technologies have been applied to the temperature-based experimental prototype described before. Detailed discussion about results and identification and control issues are provided. The main contribution of this work is to provide an efficient and practical hardware architecture for implementing fractional-order identification and control algorithms in different control technologies, helping to bridge the gap between real-time hardware solutions and software-based simulations of fractional-order systems and controllers. Finally, some conclusions and concluding remarks are offered in the industrial context.