Multiple-input multiple-output laboratory stand for process control education

This paper presents an original multiple-input multiple-output laboratory stand for process control education developed in the Institute of Control and Computation Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology. It may be used as a benchmark process to test control algorithms, including fault tolerant ones, and to compare effectiveness of model identification algorithms. Mechanical and electronic details are described. Hardware and software interfaces of the process, which enable connection of controllers, are discussed and the versatility of the laboratory stand (resulting from numerous advanced configuration options) are emphasised. A few possibilities of using the laboratory stand during testing control algorithms implemented on Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) as well as on embedded systems based on microprocessors and Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are thoroughly detailed. Finally, an application example is discussed.