Arduino PID controller implemented in Python

Abstract
The video demonstrates simple PID controller implementation using Arduino development board and Python script. Arduino board is used for signal acquisition and for generation of the control voltage. PID controller is implemented inside Python script. The hardware structure of the system and the programming procedure are described. Board communicates with PC using serial communication. Scaling of the gathered signals to the suitable units is shown. Effects of the each parameter of the PID controller on the controlled system is explained.

Nikola Jović, Ivan Grego, Faculty of Engineering at University of Kragujevac

Key words
Arduino; Serial Communication; RC Circuit; Real-time programming; Real-time control; PID control

Literature
2. Massimo Banzi, Michael Shiloh, Make: Getting started with Arduino, 4th edition, O‘Reilly, 2022
3. Milica Janković, Marko Barjaktarović, Marija Novičić, Petar Atanasijević, Praktikum iz merno-akvizicionih sistema, Univerzitet u Beogradu – Elektrotehnički fakultet, 2019.
4. Katsuhiko Ogata, Modern Control Engineering, 5th edition Prentice Hall, new York, ISBN 13: 978-0-13-615673-4, 2009.
5. M.Matijević, G.Jakupović, J.Car, Computer Aided Measurement and Control, 2nd edition, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, 2009.

Area(s) / Narrow area(s) / Course(s)
Control Engineering / Real-time systems / Automatic Control, Embedded Systems; Computer Controlled Systems

Subject of „One-minute experiment“: Implementation of real-time systems

Objective:
Demonstration of implementation of simple PID controller. Demonstration of real-time programming and operation of digital control systems. Parameters of the PID controller are explained. Unit conversion is covered. Reduction of the level of abstraction in relation to descriptions from textbook literature.

Purpose:
The abstract terminology of the teaching/learning area should be understood through the demonstration of a concrete example.

Outcome:
Students understand real-time programming principles and basic terminology concerning with real-time systems implementation.
Students can create simple PID controller to control some physical object via software and appropriate hardware. Students can use A/D and D/A converters provided on the Arduino board. Students have a clear connection between the real system characteristics and their interpretation in the textbook literature.

Users:
Students of engineering disciplines within subjects dealing with real-time systems.