Innovations In Control Systems For Electrical Engineers

Is all of your power system analysis in time-domain? Have you considered the power of frequency-domain?   Thanks to the Fourier transform, we can decompose a time-domain signal as the complex value sum or integral of sinusoids in terms of magnitude and phase components. Inverse Fourier transform lets us convert these components back to the their time-domain function. We use Laplace as an integral transform converting the function of a real variable to a function of a complex variable, making it convenient for solving differential equations.   Frequency-domain modeling is used to evaluate the propagation of harmonics as an expression of the relationship between voltage and currents. Significantly larger networks can be evaluated in a frequency-domain approach, with greater computational efficiency. The challenge is modeling all network elements in sufficient detail, from inverter-based resources (IBR) down to load composition. Thanks to advancements in computational power and simulation algorithms, frequency-domain modeling has become more accessible and accurate.   Frequency-domain analysis is also used in the control system design for power electronic converters, providing a deeper comprehension of the their behavior than is possible in time domain alone. By transforming signals from the time domain to the frequency domain, we can examine their spectral characteristics, including magnitude, phase, and frequency response. This enables us to identify critical frequencies and resonances affecting system stability and performance. By analyzing stability margins, gain and phase margins, and sensitivity functions, control systems can be designed to exhibit robust performance, ensuring reliable power delivery and protecting against unexpected events.   Frequency-domain analysis serves as an indispensable tool in the control system design for power electronic converters used in power systems and the evaluation of harmonic propagation. By leveraging its advantages, we can optimize system performance, enhance power quality, improve stability, and ensure the reliable operation of power electronics in an ever-evolving technological landscape.   I'd recommend transmission owners begin to develop and maintain frequency-domain databases of their system and collect frequency-domain representations (provided in harmonic models as frequency-dependent Norton or Thevenin equivalents) of the IBRs and other power electronic converters seeking interconnection. If converter impedance characteristics are of interest, I'd be happy go into that further in a future post as well.   If you're interested in this topic or would like to collaborate in this area, reach out. Let's drive innovation together!   #PowerSystems #FrequencyDomainModeling #RenewableEnergy #PowerElectronics #ControlSystems #Innovation   See the comment below for a few applications and benefits:

Monta's new technical white paper on Load Management, got my inner electrical engineer buzzing! 🤓 We model the entire site as a tree of Load Balancing Groups, each node defined by a per-phase current vector I = (I_L1, I_L2, I_L3). This is a proper graph-based abstraction of the electrical topology. What’s impressive is the dynamic current allocation engine. This isn’t naive load sharing. It’s real-time, phase-aware rebalancing with priority ranking, driven by live MeterValues. When an EV draws less than allocated, the system reclaims and redistributes the excess—amp by amp. And yes, the 6A floor is baked in to maintain IEC 61851-1 compliance and avoid charging session failures on low-capacity branches. It supports AC, DC, and mixed environments with a unified logic layer. Whether it’s single-phase chargers or beefy three-phase DC stations, the system adapts allocation dynamically based on hardware capability, site constraints, and configured priorities. It already integrates with some external meters, but there is a lot more to come. During Q3, we will open APIs and MQTT streams, adding many more options. We will also combine smart charging and load balancing on large sites 🤯 This is the kind of system design that shifts the ROI equation—from upgrading infrastructure to orchestrating it smarter. Seriously worth a read if you’re into grid-constrained EV charging, real-time control systems, or the future of distributed energy logic. Link in comments

Day 45/365 23 years ago while in medical school, and passionate about decoding the mind and brain, my curiosity led me to study neuroscience and later control engineering and computer science and I was fortunate to become a student of the Late Prof. Caro Lucas. He was one of the gurus of control engineering globally, a student of Prof. Zadeh, the father of fuzzy systems. After a couple of semesters, Caro asked me who are you, and I told him my story we became friends and eventually started working on intelligent control systems, specifically bio-inspired control systems, combining neuroscience and AI. With our unique approach and inspired by the emotional learning process in the mammalian brain, we invented the first controllers that made decisions based on emotions and named it BELBIC (stands for Brain Emotional Learning Based Intelligent Controller). Based on the computational model inspired by the neural structure and function of the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex in the human brain, BELBIC is designed to process sensory inputs and emotional signals to generate appropriate control outputs. BELBIC has shown improved performance compared to traditional control methods, especially in handling uncertainties and disturbances. It's also way faster and computationally more efficient and is particularly effective in dealing with complex, non-linear systems and environments with high levels of uncertainty or disturbance. BELBIC can adapt to changing conditions and learn from past experiences, making it more flexible than many traditional control systems. It can process multiple inputs simultaneously, including both sensory and emotional signals, leading to more sophisticated decision-making. For the last 20 years, BELBIC has been applied in various fields, including robotics, industrial control systems, and autonomous vehicles. Here are some major categories among more than 400 applications: Industrial Control Systems Robotics Automotive Industry Power Systems Aerospace Consumer Electronics Medical Devices Financial Systems Environmental Control Transportation BELBIC's development and widespread application illustrate the rapid progress and far-reaching impact of AI technologies. As an early example of integrating emotional learning into control systems, BELBIC represents a stepping stone towards more sophisticated AI that can process and respond to complex, multifaceted inputs. This trajectory points toward future bio-inspired AI systems with increasingly human-like decision-making capabilities, potentially leading to advancements in areas such as natural language processing, adaptive learning systems, and even components of artificial general intelligence (AGI) and something more powerful, Artificial general emotional intelligence (AGEI). To be continued on day 46/365

The Invention of I-PRESS: Mark Sutherland’s Story OLDER PRESS RETROFITS AVAILABLE / ANY BUILDER OF PRESSES Once upon a time, in the late 1990s, Mark Sutherland—an experienced press man with decades in the metal forming industry—was visiting the Euro Blech show in Hannover, Germany. Surrounded by giant machines from industry leaders in Germany, Japan, and Italy, Mark noticed something troubling: the control panels for these high-powered presses were intimidating, non-intuitive, and seemed to be made by engineers for engineers. Even with his deep experience, Mark found the systems overwhelming. That’s when inspiration struck. “What if a press control could be welcoming, easy to use, and even a bit fun?” he wondered. Mark decided right then that the future of press controls would be built on simplicity, safety, and smart technology. Returning home, Mark began to design a new generation of press control—one that put the user first. He believed the controls should Engage, Entertain, and Educate (the “EEE” philosophy). With his team, he developed the I-PRESS control system: a groundbreaking interface with a large, user-friendly touchscreen and a software-based architecture based on Rockwell AB, Siemens and Omron platforms. The I-PRESS was built to work seamlessly with mechanical, servo-hydraulic, and forge presses. Over the years, the system evolved to exceed Category 3 and Performance Level D safety standards, with flexibility, expandability, and the ability to seamlessly update via software instead of expensive chip replacements. Key Features & Advantages: Intuitive touchscreen interface—easy for any operator to use 200+ job memory, with alpha-numeric job names 130+ monitored press faults, with on-screen troubleshooting and guidance Industry 4.0 ready: real-time data collection and remote access from mobile devices Works on Rockwell AB, Siemens, and Omron platforms Remote diagnostics and support to minimize downtime Expandable and customizable for future needs Seamless integration with feeders, robots, and transfer systems Exceeds highest safety standards (Cat 3, PL-D) Programmable cams, die monitoring, and tonnage monitoring for tooling protection Thanks to Mark Sutherland’s humble question and spirited innovation, the I-PRESS control revolutionized press operations around the world—making them safer, smarter, and far more user-friendly for generations to come. #controls #automation #servopress #stamping, #press, #safety