Best Model Predictive Control (MPC) Software for Small Business

The Model Predictive Control Toolbox™ offers a comprehensive suite of functions, an intuitive app, Simulink® blocks, and practical reference examples to facilitate the development of model predictive control (MPC) systems. It caters to linear challenges by enabling the creation of implicit, explicit, adaptive, and gain-scheduled MPC strategies. For more complex nonlinear scenarios, users can execute both single-stage and multi-stage nonlinear MPC. Additionally, this toolbox includes deployable optimization solvers and permits the integration of custom solvers. Users can assess the effectiveness of their controllers through closed-loop simulations in MATLAB® and Simulink environments. For applications in automated driving, the toolbox also features MISRA C®- and ISO 26262-compliant blocks and examples, allowing for a swift initiation of projects related to lane keep assist, path planning, path following, and adaptive cruise control. You have the capability to design implicit, gain-scheduled, and adaptive MPC controllers that tackle quadratic programming (QP) problems, and you can generate an explicit MPC controller derived from an implicit design. Furthermore, the toolbox supports discrete control set MPC for handling mixed-integer QP challenges, thus broadening its applicability in diverse control systems. With these extensive features, the toolbox ensures that both novice and experienced users can effectively implement advanced control strategies.

Advanced Process Control (APC) provides a highly efficient solution for enhancing your plant's performance without requiring any hardware modifications. By implementing an APC application, you can stabilize operations while simultaneously optimizing production or energy usage, leading to a deeper insight into your production processes. This term encompasses a wide array of methods and technologies that complement fundamental process control systems, which are primarily constructed using PID controllers. Some examples of APC technologies include LQR, LQC, H_infinity, neural networks, fuzzy logic, and Model-Based Predictive Control (MPC). An APC application continually optimizes plant operations every minute, round-the-clock, seven days a week, ensuring consistent efficiency. Among these technologies, MPC stands out as the most widely adopted within the industry, as it utilizes a process model to forecast the plant's behavior for the near future, typically ranging from a few minutes to several hours ahead, thus providing a strategic advantage in operational planning. Through the continual refinement of processes, APC not only improves efficiency but also contributes to long-term sustainability goals.

Navigating the complexities of industrial processes presents a significant challenge for businesses striving to be both responsive to market demands and economically viable. To meet these challenges, manufacturers are required to refine their production techniques in order to offer an expanded range of higher-value items while also accommodating shorter production runs. It is essential for them to enhance output, optimize operational efficiency, and elevate product quality to the fullest extent permitted by their existing equipment. Achieving this necessitates maximizing equipment uptime and facilitating smoother transitions while minimizing waste. Furthermore, there is an increasing expectation from the public for manufacturers to lessen their environmental footprint and adhere to strict emissions regulations. Rockwell Automation Pavilion8® Model Predictive Control (MPC) technology serves as an advanced intelligence layer that integrates with automation systems, continuously steering the plant toward achieving a multitude of business goals—including cost savings, reduced emissions, consistent quality, and increased production—while operating in real time. This innovative approach not only enhances operational effectiveness but also aligns with sustainability initiatives, positioning manufacturers for success in an evolving marketplace.

A closed-loop universal multivariable optimizer is designed to enhance both the performance and quality of Model Predictive Control (MPC) systems. This optimizer utilizes data from Excel files sourced from Dynamic Matrix Control (DMC) by Aspen Tech, Robust Model Predictive Control Technology (RMPCT) from Honeywell, or Predict Pro from Emerson to develop and refine accurate models for various multivariable-controller variable (MV-CV) pairs. This innovative optimization technology eliminates the need for step tests typically required by Aspen Tech and Honeywell, operating entirely within the time domain while remaining user-friendly, compact, and efficient. Given that Model Predictive Controls (MPC) can encompass tens or even hundreds of dynamic models, the possibility of incorrect models is a significant concern. The presence of inaccurate dynamic models in MPCs leads to bias, which is identified as model prediction error, manifesting as discrepancies between predicted signals and actual measurements from sensors. COLUMBO serves as a powerful tool to enhance the accuracy of Model Predictive Control (MPC) models, effectively utilizing either open-loop or fully closed-loop data to ensure optimal performance. By addressing the potential for errors in dynamic models, COLUMBO aims to significantly improve overall control system effectiveness.

AVEVA APC is an innovative model predictive advanced process control solution designed to enhance process profitability. In the current economic landscape, manufacturers encounter challenges such as constrained capital budgets, escalating manufacturing and energy expenses, and fierce global competition. AVEVA's Comprehensive Advanced Process Control equips businesses to tackle intricate manufacturing issues with cutting-edge automatic control solutions, maximizing value extraction from their operations. This technology not only boosts production yield and quality but also minimizes energy consumption. By facilitating the optimization of manufacturing activities, it enables continuous performance enhancements crucial for improving overall financial outcomes. AVEVA APC stands out as a holistic software solution that leverages advanced technology to create automatic control systems capable of unlocking the full potential of manufacturing processes. Ultimately, this empowers manufacturers to thrive in a highly competitive market while achieving sustainable growth.

Cybernetica specializes in providing Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC) utilizing mechanistic models. Our innovative software solution, Cybernetica CENIT, features a versatile architecture capable of addressing diverse industrial challenges by delivering optimal strategies. This includes advanced multivariable optimal control, predictive control mechanisms, and intelligent feed-forward strategies, along with efficient handling of constraints. Furthermore, our adaptive control capabilities leverage state and parameter estimation, incorporating feedback from indirect measurements via the process model. The use of nonlinear models allows for effective operation across extensive ranges, enhancing the management of nonlinear processes. This leads to a diminished reliance on step-response experiments and bolstered accuracy in state and parameter estimations. Additionally, we offer control solutions for both batch and semi-batch operations, efficiently managing nonlinear processes that function under fluctuating conditions. Our technology also ensures optimal grade transitions in continuous operations, safe supervision of exothermic processes, and control of unmeasured variables, including conversion rates and product quality. As a result, we contribute to reduced energy consumption and a lower carbon footprint, while also enhancing overall process efficiency. In summary, Cybernetica is committed to advancing industrial control solutions that optimize performance and sustainability.