Design and Implementation of an Optimal Fuzzy Logic Controller Using Genetic Algorithm

All control systems suffer from problems related to undesirable overshoot, longer settling times and vibrations while going form one state to another state. Most of relevant techniques had been in the form of suggesting modification and improvement in the instrumentation or interfacing part of the control system and the results reported, remain suffering from shortcomings related to hardware parameter dependence and maintenance and operational complexities. Present study was based on a software approach which was focusing on an algorithmic approach for programming a PIC16F877A microcontroller, for eliminating altogether the parametric dependence issues while adding the benefits of easier modification to suit a given control system to changing operational conditions. Said approach was first simulated using MATLAB/SIMULINK using the techniques of Proportional Derivative Fuzzy Logic Controller (PD-FLC) whose membership function, fuzzy logic rules and scaling gains were optimized by the genetic algorithm technique. Simulated results were verified by programming the PIC16F877A microcontroller with the algorithm and using it on a temperature control system where a fan was regulated in response to variations in the ambient system temperature. Resulting tabulated performance indices showed a considerable improvement in rising and settling time besides reducing overshoot and steady state error.