Experimental study of delayed positive feedback control for a flexible beam

Recently, some researches indicate that positive feedback can benefit the control if appropriate time delay is intentionally introduced into control system. However, most work is theoretical one but few are experimental. This paper presents theoretical and experimental studies of delayed positive feedback control technique using a flexible beam as research object. The positive feedback weighting coefficient is designed by using the optimal control method. The available time delay is determined by analyzing the maximal real part of characteristic roots of the system. A DSP-based experiment system is introduced. Simulation and experimental results indicate that the delayed positive feedback control may effectively reduce the beam vibration if time delay is appropriately selected.