Type-1 and Type-2 effective Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy models for decentralized control of multi-input-multi-output processes

Effective model is a novel tool for decentralized controller design to handle the interconnected interactions in a multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) process. In this paper, Type-1 and Type-2 effective Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy models (ETSM) are investigated. By means of the loop pairing criterion, simple calculations are given to build Type-1/Type-2 ETSMs which are used to describe a group of non-interacting equivalent single-input-single-output (SISO) systems to represent an MIMO process, consequently the decentralized controller design can be converted to multiple independent single-loop controller designs, and enjoy the well-developed linear control algorithms. The main contributions of this paper are: i) Compared to the existing T-S fuzzy model based decentralized control methods using extra terms to characterize interactions, ETSM is a simple feasible alternative; ii) Compared to the existing effective model methods using linear transfer functions, ETSM can be carried out without requiring exact mathematical process functions, and lays a basis to develop robust controllers since fuzzy system is powerful to handle uncertainties; iii) Type-1 and Type-2 ETSMs are presented under a unified framework to provide objective comparisons. A nonlinear MIMO process is used to demonstrate the ETSMs' superiority over the effective transfer function (ETF) counterparts as well as the evident advantage of Type-2 ETSMs in terms of robustness. A multi-evaporator refrigeration system is employed to validate the practicability of the proposed methods.