Comparison of iterative feedback tuning search techniques

Iterative feedback tuning is an attractive method for industry as it is a model free approach using experiments conducted on the plant to tune controller parameters. Classically Gauss-Newton iterative methods are used in IFT to update the controller parameters in the negative gradient direction of a specified design criterion function. Levenburg-Marquardt and Trust-Region strategies offer attractive advantages to Gauss-Newton in many applications, these alternative methods are given and results from simulation presented. A discussion on the differences between line search methods and Trust-Region methods is given showing the Trust-Region search direction is more flexible. Step size selection is often the limiting factor and it is found that with unknown step size values and initial controller parameters the Trust-Region is the best selection , where as if overshoot is a concern Levenburg-Marquardt is a good choice. Gauss-Newton method provides quick convergence and a fast response time however it shows more dependence on the step size.