This paper presents a new optimal PI/PID controller tuning algorithms for l
ow-order plus time-delay processes via LQR approach. A new criterion for se
lection of the Q and R matrices is proposed which will lead to the desired
natural frequency and damping ratio of the closed-loop system. The examples
with various dynamics are included to demonstrate the effectiveness of the
tuning algorithms and show significant improvement over the existing PID t
uning methods. The robustness property of the tuning algorithms is also ana
lyzed, and it is shown that the LQR system is robustly stable for the small
modeling error. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.