Control Systems Interactive Guide

Explore the physics, pros, and cons of different control algorithms.

Interactive Lab 1: The Levitation Chamber (1D Control)

Try to keep the yellow block at the green target line while gravity pulls it down. Add "Wind" to see how they react to external force.

Error: 0.00 | Output: 0%

Select a controller to start.

Controller Knowledge Base

1. Bang-Bang / Hysteresis

Core: "All or Nothing"

Logic: If too low → Full ON. If too high → Full OFF.

Example: Heaters, Fridges.

Pros
  • Simplest to code
  • Cheap hardware (Relays)
Cons
  • Jerky/Oscillating
  • Wears out parts

2. PID (Error Based)

Core: "Reactive Math"

Logic: Sum of Proportional (Present), Integral (Past), Derivative (Future).

Example: Drones, Cruise Control.

Pros
  • Industry Standard (90%)
  • Smooth output
Cons
  • Blind to physics
  • Reactive (lags)

3. Pure Pursuit (Geometric)

Core: "The Dog Chase"

Logic: Look at a point ahead on the path and steer towards it.

Example: Agricultural Rovers, AGVs.

Pros
  • Very smooth
  • Robust to GPS noise
Cons
  • Cuts corners
  • Sacrifices accuracy for smoothness

4. MPC (Predictive)

Core: "The Chess Player"

Logic: Simulate 50 futures, pick the best one.

Example: SpaceX Landing, Tesla Autopilot.

Pros
  • Handles constraints (Walls, Speed limits)
Cons
  • Computationally heavy
  • Hard to implement

5. Sliding Mode (SMC)

Core: "The Brute Force"

Logic: Force system onto a path using aggressive switching.

Example: ABS Brakes, Underwater Robots.

Pros
  • Invincible (Robust to model errors)
Cons
  • Chattering (High vibration)

Interactive Lab 2: The Geometric Rover (2D)

Demonstration of Pure Pursuit. The rover attempts to follow the white path. Change the "Look Ahead" distance to see how it affects cornering.

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