Selection of optimal monitoring locations in real-time intelligent reconfigurable control systems

The performance of real-time intelligent reconfigurable control systems is directly related to their performance monitoring and the fault detection algorithms used. Issues in selecting suitable locations for real-time information collection are considered. Every accessible location in a typical feedback control system is analyzed and the most adequate variables in the control loop are determined for the performance monitoring and fault detection algorithms to collect the information. The entire analysis is based on system sensitivity theory. The sensitivity functions in a typical multiloop feedback control system are defined in terms of system component variations, and the optimal variables are determined on the basis of the criterion of maximal sensitivity. A three loop single input and single output system is initially used in the analysis. Results are then extended to more general systems