PC-based feedback control with LabVIEW and a data acquisition unit

Abstract

Feedback control is used by industry to regulate and improve responses and results of a variety of processes and systems. This paper describes the design and development of a feedback control system that maintains the temperature of a process at a desired set point. The system consists of a PC-based data acquisition unit that provides input and output interfaces between the PC and the sensor circuit and hardware. A proportional, integral, and derivative controller is implemented using LabVIEW. To demonstrate the functionality of the system a heating element that gives off a constant amount of heat is used. The paper provides details about the data acquisition unit, shows the implementation of the controller, and presents test results.