Controller Configuration Using the MPC Editor

Open the MPC Editor by launching the shortcut found on the Windows Start menu under Proficy > MPC Editor.

The configuration information for an MPC model is stored and transferred between the MPC Editor and the Model Predictive Control block in the Architect as a structured file in the comma-separated value (CSV) format.

The MPC Editor has four main areas where you can configure aspects of your controller:

File control menu
Panel for general controller parameters
Detail tab for configuring CVs, MVs, and DVs
Model tab for configuring dynamic models

File Control Menu

Select the File button in the top left corner to display the following file control options:

New: Select this to create a new controller configuration.

Load: Select this to load an existing controller configuration file (.csv).

Save: Select this to save the current controller configuration to a file (.csv).

Panel for General Controller Parameters

Configure the general controller parameters as described in the General Parameters topic.

Detail Tab for Configuring CVs, MVs, and DVs

Controlled Variables

Add a CV

To add a CV, select Add CV.

Delete a CV

To delete one or more CVs:

Select the checkboxes next to the CVs to be deleted.
Select Remove Selected CVs.
Select OK to confirm deletion.

Configure a CV

Configure CV parameters as described in the CV Properties topic.

Manipulated Variables

Add an MV

To add an MV, select Add MV.

Delete an MV

To delete one or more MVs:

Select the checkboxes next to the MVs to be deleted.
Select Remove Selected CVs.
Select OK to confirm deletion.

Configure an MV

Configure MV parameters as described in the MV Properties topic.

Disturbance Variables

Add a DV

To add a DV, select Add DV.

Delete a DV

To delete one or more DVs:

Select the checkboxes next to the DVs to be deleted.
Select Remove Selected DVs.
Select OK to confirm deletion.

Configure DV

Configure DV parameters as described in the DV Properties topic.

Model Tab for Configuring Dynamic Models

Select the Model tab (next to the Detail tab) to configure dynamic models for the various MV and MV/DV pairs.

After configuring MVs, and DVs in the Detail tab, the Model tab displays a model matrix, with each graph representing the dynamic relationship between the indicated MV or MV/DV pair.

Add or Modify Model

Select the graph representing the MV or MV/DV pair. This displays a window where you can configure the following:

Model Type

Select an available Model Type from the drop-down box. This populates the required model parameters with default values.

Note: Refer to the Model Types topic for details about the different available model types.

Gain Multiplier

Changing the Gain Multiplier and/or model parameters (for example: K, Tau, and Delay) will update the graph displayed under Model Representation.

Select Apply to generate the step response. This will update the large graph to display both the original step response (red) along with the step response with the gain multiplier (blue).

Refer to the Step Response Properties and Coefficients topic for details about these parameters.

Note: Models can be duplicated by dragging a previously created model onto an empty graph.

Important: Remember to save the controller configuration before closing the Standalone UI.

Step Response Coefficient Models

The MPC block may use coefficients of a model directly in its predictions.

To configure a model using coefficients:

Select the Step Response Coefficients option from the Model Type dropdown.

A sliding window appears on the left-hand side of the dialog.
Select Upload CSV button. A file selection dialog appears.
Select the appropriate csv file and select Open.

If the file was uploaded successfully, the coefficients appear in the left-hand table and the graph line(s) are updated on the right-hand side in the Model Representation.
If the values are correct, select Apply to use the uploaded coefficients.

The centre graph is updated.

Consult the Step Response Properties and Coefficients topic for details on these parameters.

Display normalized models

Once all models have been configured, select the Show Normalised Data check box on the general pane to display the normalized models. This gives an indication of the relative influence of MVs and DVs on CVs.

Clearing the Show Normalised Data check box will cause the step response models to display in engineering units again.

Delete a model

To Delete a model:

Select the model’s graph.
Select the None option in the Model Type dropdown.
Select Apply, and then and select Close.