Optimizing PID Controller Design for Maglev Air-Gap Position Control by Bat-Inspired Algorithm

This paper proposes the proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller design optimization for the air-gap position control of the magnetically levitated (Maglev) vehicles by using the bat-inspired algorithm (BA). Considered as the constrained optimization problem, the BA is applied to design an optimal PID controller by searching for the appropriate values of the controller gains. Results obtained by the PID controller designed by the BA will be compared with those obtained by the conventional controller from literatures. As results, the BA can provide an optimal PID controller for the Maglev air-gap position controlled system. By comparison, the PID controller yields very satisfactory responses superior to the conventional controller without steady-state error of the command-tracking and load-regulating responses.