Fuzzy logic based voltage controller for a synchronous generator

Fuzzy logic controllers are rapidly becoming a viable alternative for classical controllers. The reason for this is that a fuzzy controller can imitate human control processes closely. Fuzzy logic technology enables the use of engineering experience and experimental results in designing an embedded system. In many applications, this circumvents the use of rigorous mathematical modeling to derive a control solution. Another advantage of fuzzy logic control is that it allows for a model-free estimation of the system. In other words, the designer does not need to state how the outputs depend mathematically upon the inputs. A fuzzy controller can be developed by encoding the structured knowledge of the system, which will allow faster control algorithms to be developed in less time and at less cost. With the advance of microprocessors and digital signal processors (DSPs), fuzzy logic control techniques are becoming more attractive for real-time control problems. It is expected that it will be implemented in many power system control applications in the near future. The paper describes a fuzzy logic based closed loop control system which controls the armature voltage of a generator by varying its field current in real-time.