Method of and apparatus for evaluating the performance of a control system

A method of evaluating the performance of a control system, the method comprising:

• receiving data from the control system, wherein the data is received by a passive testing function;
• and
• calculating a parameter related to the performance of the control system using the passive testing function,
• wherein the passive testing function is an oscillation detection test, and wherein calculating the parameter related to the performance of the control system includes determining repeating patterns from data received from the control system;
• and
• wherein data received from the control system includes an error signal, and wherein determining the repeating patterns from data received from the control system includes determining a similarity index value related to alternating area values associated with the error signal.

A method of evaluating the performance of a control system, the method comprising:

• receiving data from the control system, wherein the data is received by a passive testing function;
• and
• calculating a parameter related to the performance of the control system using the passive testing function;
• wherein the control system includes a feedback control loop comprising a controller and a plant;
• and
• wherein the controller is a proportional plus integral (PI) controller.

An apparatus for evaluating the performance of a control system, the apparatus comprising:

• a processor operable to execute a passive testing function, wherein the passive testing function is configured to:
• receive data from the control system;
• and
• calculate a parameter related to the performance of the control system;
• wherein the passive testing function is a load disturbance detection test, and wherein calculating the parameter related to the performance of the control system includes determining an autocorrelation value from data received from the control system.

An apparatus for evaluating the performance of a control system, the apparatus comprising:

• a processor operable to execute a passive testing function, wherein the passive testing function is configured to:
• receive data from the control system;
• and
• calculate a parameter related to the performance of the control system;
• wherein the passive testing function is an oscillation detection test, and wherein calculating the parameter related to the performance of the control system includes determining repeating patterns from data received from the control system;
• and
• wherein data received from the control system includes an error signal, and wherein determining the repeating patterns from data received from the control system includes determining a similarity index value related to alternating area values associated with the error signal.

An apparatus for evaluating the performance of a control system, the apparatus comprising:

• a processor operable to execute a passive testing function, wherein the passive testing function is configured to:
• receive data from the control system;
• and
• calculate a parameter related to the performance of the control system;
• wherein the control system includes a feedback control loop comprising a controller and a plant;
• and
• wherein the controller is a proportional plus integral (PI) controller.

An apparatus for evaluating the performance of a control system, the apparatus comprising:

• a processor operable to execute a passive testing function, wherein the passive testing function is configured to:
• receive data from the control system;
• and
• calculate a parameter related to the performance of the control system;
• wherein the processor is further operable to execute an active testing function;
• wherein the active testing function is configured to identify static nonlinearity in the control system;
• and
• wherein the active testing function is further configured to determine a mathematical function to remove the static nonlinearity from the control system.

An apparatus for evaluating the performance of a control system, the apparatus comprising:

• a processor operable to execute a passive testing function, wherein the passive testing function is configured to:
• receive data from the control system;
• and
• calculate a parameter related to the performance of the control system;
• wherein the processor is further operable to execute an active testing function;
• and
• wherein the active testing function is configured to determine a first-order-plus-time-delay model for a device in the control system.

An apparatus for evaluating the performance of a control system, the apparatus comprising:

• means for executing a passive testing function, wherein the passive testing function is configured to:
• receive data from the control system;
• and
• calculate a parameter related to the performance of the control system;
• wherein the passive testing function is a load disturbance detection test, and wherein calculating the parameter related to the performance of the control system includes determining an autocorrelation value, from data received from the control system.

An apparatus for evaluating the performance of a control system, the apparatus comprising:

• means for executing a passive testing function, wherein the passive testing function is configured to:
• receive data from the control system;
• and
• calculate a parameter related to the performance of the control system:
• wherein the passive testing function is an oscillation detection test, and wherein calculating the parameter related to the performance of the control system includes determining repeating patterns from data received from the control system;
• and
• wherein data received from the control system includes an error signal, and wherein determining the repeating patterns from data received from the control system includes determining a similarity index value related to alternating area values associated with the error signal.

An apparatus for evaluating the performance of a control system, the apparatus comprising:

• means for executing a passive testing function, wherein the passive testing function is configured to:
• receive data from the control system;
• and
• calculate a parameter related to the performance of the control system;
• wherein the control system includes a feedback control loop comprising a controller and a plant;
• and
• wherein the controller is a proportional plus integral (PI) controller.