SimuLoop

Real-time PID control simulator for testing and learning PID control and loop tuning. SimuLoop shows how the process responds to different tuning parameters in real-time. Apply setpoint changes, noise and disturbances and observe how the system behaves. Enter the process dynamics and try out the tuning parameters before applying them in the plant. SimuLoop is design to respond "in real-time", at the same speed that the real plant would do in real life, to get a feel of tuning loops in the real plant.

SimuLoop is also a great learning and teaching tool for students and process control practitioners. SimuLoop can be used to

Visualize in real-time the interactions between P, I and D on different PID algorithms such as parallel non-interactive or ISA (Ideal) PID form.
Show how a P-only controller + Output Bias can eliminate the offset.
Switch between manual and automatic modes to understand the difference.
Understand the spike in the output when a "derivative kick" occurs, and how this problem is avoided by using derivative on Measurement

PID Algorithms

Ideal, Parallel and Series form of the PID algorithm. are the 3 mail different forms of the PID equation implemented in most PLC's and control Systems. SimuLoop supports these 3 forms of the PID algorithm: Ideal (ISA), Parallel (non-interacting) and Series (interacting). SimuLoop also supports Manual/Automatic modes and Inverse/Reverse control action.

Process Dynamics

Self-regulating and Integrating process are the major classifications of industrial processes and they have very different control needs. Self-regulating processes responds to a step-change by settling to a new stable value, examples are temperature control and flow control. Integrating processes respond to a step-change by ramping up or down. Tank level control is a typical example of an integrating process. SimuLoop supports Self-regulating processes (first order and second order) and Integrating processes (tank level control).

Features

If you prefer to test the application first you may download SimuLoop Lite. It does not expire, but does not support all of the features supported by SimuLoop. The table below lists the differences between SimuLoop and SimuLoop Lite.

	SimuLoop	SimuLoop Lite
PID Algorithms	- Ideal (ISA) - Parallel (non-interacting) - Series (interacting)	- Parallel (non-interacting)
Process Types	- First Order Self-regulating Process - Second Order Self-regulating Process - Integrating Process (tank level control)	- First Order Self-regulating Process
Control Action	- Reverse (E=SP-PV) - Direct (E=PV-SP)	- Reverse (E=SP-PV)
Derivative Source	- Derivative on Error - Derivative on Measurement (PV)	- Derivative on Error - Derivative on Measurement (PV)
Process Action	- Direct - Reverse	- Direct
Data Logging	CSV file	CSV file (1 minute max)
Disturbances	- Pulse - Ramp - Step - Sinusoidal	None
Noise	- Gaussian Noise - Random Noise	- Gaussian Noise - Random Noise
Control Modes	- Manual mode - Automatic mode	- Manual mode - Automatic mode
Other Features	- Enable/Disable anti-windup - Enable/Disable bumpless transfer - Reset Integral Term	None
Operating System	Tested in MS Windows 10	Tested in MS Windows 10
Expire	No	No