Fragility and robustness: a case study on paper machine headbox control

We discuss the fragility of controllers against small inaccuracies of controller parameters. A useful way to gain insight into controller fragility is to consider the fragility of poles and zeros. Certain controller design methods and controller parametrizations are especially vulnerable to fragility problems. It is hoped that the controversy and debate around the claimed fragility of designs obtained by modern robust and optimal control theories calls attention to the relevance of the work on fixed wordlength effects in controller implementation. A case study on a paper machine headbox control problem is included to illustrate that if a good robust control design method is used, together with a reasonable controller realization (parametrization), it should be possible to combat controller fragility in a fairly satisfactory, although indirect, manner. However, it would certainly be interesting to study whether controller fragility could be directly addressed within some generalized robust control design theory.