Model Predictive Control Toolbox vs. Apromon

The Model Predictive Control Toolbox™ provides an extensive array of functions, an easy-to-use app, Simulink® blocks, and useful reference examples to streamline the development of model predictive control (MPC) systems. It effectively addresses linear problems by allowing the development of implicit, explicit, adaptive, and gain-scheduled MPC approaches. For more intricate nonlinear situations, users can implement both single-stage and multi-stage nonlinear MPC. Moreover, this toolbox comes equipped with deployable optimization solvers and allows for the incorporation of custom solvers as needed. Users can evaluate the performance of their controllers through closed-loop simulations within MATLAB® and Simulink environments. In the context of automated driving, the toolbox offers blocks and examples that comply with MISRA C® and ISO 26262 standards, which facilitates the rapid start of projects related to lane keeping assistance, path planning, path following, and adaptive cruise control. It enables the design of implicit, gain-scheduled, and adaptive MPC controllers that can solve quadratic programming (QP) problems while also facilitating the generation of explicit MPC controllers based on implicit designs. Furthermore, the toolbox accommodates discrete control set MPC for addressing mixed-integer QP challenges, thus expanding its versatility for various control systems. With its rich set of features, the toolbox guarantees that both beginners and seasoned professionals can successfully apply advanced control strategies in their projects. This versatility ensures that users across multiple domains can find relevant applications for their specific needs.

Apromon is an innovative web-based software tool that specializes in assessing the efficacy of PID loop controls for both standard and Advanced Process Control (APC) systems. It provides evaluations for individual loops as well as cascade setups, diverse APC loops, and signals that do not have an associated controller but still feature a process variable (PV). A notable highlight of Apromon is its capability to convert various controller types—including those managing flow, pressure, temperature, and level—into a single "grade" factor, similar to how educators score students, where a score of 100 indicates peak performance and a score of 0 represents the lowest. The software is designed to operate continuously, conducting evaluations at predefined intervals to guarantee that performance metrics are accurately calculated and saved. In contrast to some other software solutions, Apromon ensures that every tag is monitored without exception, establishing itself as a dependable option for ongoing performance evaluation. This commitment to thorough monitoring not only fosters optimal control over processes but also empowers users with real-time insights to enhance their operational efficiency consistently. As a result, Apromon stands out in the industry for its reliability and comprehensive approach to performance tracking.