Using deadbands to reduce communication in networked control systems

The most effective way to improve networked control systems (NCSs) performance is to reduce network traffic. By adapting a system to a network configuration, the communication medium is more efficiently used and time-delays are minimized. Adjustable deadbands are explored as a solution to reduce network traffic in NCSs. The stability of deadband control is derived and then verified via simulation. A method to determine the size of the deadbands is presented that relies on a performance metric that takes into account system response as well as network traffic. The effectiveness of deadband control with different controllers is studied as well as the effect of disturbances and plant uncertainty.