Patent ID: 7016779
Filing Date: 2006-03-21
Classification: F02D,G05B,Y02T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for controlling a system having a first number of system inputs and a second number of system outputs, by outputting, at intervals, signals for updating the system inputs, the apparatus comprising: means for receiving one or more signals indicative of target values for the system outputs; mapping means for using steady state information that relates the system outputs to the system inputs under steady state conditions, to determine a number, equal to the first number, of steady state values for the system inputs on the basis of the target output values; means for receiving a number, equal to the second number, of signals indicative of the system outputs; initial value means for producing at least one set of initial values, wherein each set consists of a number, equal to the first number, of values for use as a basis for determining a set of update values, wherein the set of update values consists of a number, equal to the first number, of values for updating the system inputs; prediction means for using a model of the system to predict, for each set of initial values, a set of future values of the system outputs on the basis of past system input values, past system output values and a respective set of initial values; first differencing means for determining differences between the steady state values and each set of initial values to give first difference information; second differencing means for determining differences between the target values and each set of predicted future values of the system outputs to give second difference information; combining means for combining the first difference information with the second difference information to give combined difference information; determining means for determining the set of update values on the basis of the combined difference information and each set of initial values; and output means for outputting signals, indicative of the set of update values, for updating the system inputs.