LabMIMO: An Open-source Virtual Laboratory for Process Control

Abstract

The “LabMIMO” is an open-source, interactive, and user-friendly virtual learning workbench. This workbench is designed for nonlinear process control edification. This virtual laboratory offers the platform to comprehend and validate the essentials of a control system for the nonlinear coupled MIMO process. This paper presents the development details and impact of virtual labs on an engineering study. The process considered in the tool is unique and innovative Quadruple Conical Tank System (QCTS). The said system is developed and the mathematical model used in the tool is validated with actual physical laboratory setup. The LabMIMO consists the eight different experiments on open-loop and closed-loop system analysis for single-input single-output system and multi-input multi-output configurations of QCTS. It also covers the study on interaction and coupling effects for the nonlinear process. Diverse experimentations were intended to improve the knowledge on design and performance analyses of different classical and model-based control algorithms like MPC (Model Predictive Controller), Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC), PID Controller. To ease E-learning, LabVIEW based a very accessible Graphical User Interface (GUI) developed. To address the very important requirement of virtual laboratory setup, the tool is made freely downloadable in a license-free executable file version.