The proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller is the heart of every control system in the process industry. Given the proper setup and tuning, the PID has proven to have the capability and flexibility needed to meet nearly all of industrya (TM)s basic control requirements. However, the information to support the best use of these features has fallen behind the progress of improved functionality.

Additionally, there is considerable disagreement on the tuning rules that largely stems from a misunderstanding of how tuning rules have evolved and the lack of recognition of the...