From open-loop learning to closed-loop control

A control problem in practice typically consists of modeling, identification and control design as well as commissioning of the process. This leads to an overall high complexity of the control problem and also high demands on the user. Often adequate expertise is unavailable resulting in that many control problems remain unsolved. In this contribution we will place the user into focus and examine strategies whereby basic engineering knowledge is sufficient to solve control problems. No new methods will be presented, the contribution is in how existing methods are combined into a coherent framework where only basic qualitative process knowledge is required from the user. The contribution can be seen as a step towards a methodology suitable for engineers with limited control background. The ideas will be illustrated on the inverted pendulum.