Modeling and Identification

Abstract

Most control engineering exercises begin with the phrase “Given is the system with the transfer function..”. Alas, in engineering practice, a mathematical description of the plant which is to be controlled is seldom available. The plant first needs to be modeled mathematically. In spite of this fact, control engineering courses generally do not spend much time on modeling. Perhaps this is because modeling can be said to be more of an art than a science. This Chapter begins by defining what is meant by the words model and modeling. It then illustrates various types of models, studies the process of modeling and concludes with the problem of parameter identification and related optimization techniques.