LMI-based robust control system design for a Research Reactor

Robust controllers for output power regulation of Pakistan Research Reactor (PARR1) has been synthesized using H
_∞
, pole placement, H
₂
and mixed H
₂
/H
_∞
optimization. For controller synthesis the model was formulated as a linear matrix inequality (LMI) problem with 20% uncertainties added in two reactor parameters. The model was first affine parameterized to be used in LMI framework. The uncertainties were added in fraction of delayed fission neutrons (beta) and effective precursor radioactive decay constant (lambda). Simulation results show that best performance is achieved by H
_∞
or mixed H
₂
/H
_∞
controllers. The nonlinear reactor model was also simulated with controller synthesized from LMI formulation. The results show quiet good agreement with the desired performance.