Parametric Robust Control of the Multivariable 2 x 2 Looper System in Steel Hot Rolling: A Comparison between Multivariable QFT and H-infinity

Two robust mutlivariable controllers, H-infinity and a decentralized quantitative feedback theory (QFT), are designed in the frequency domain for the 2 x 2 looper system in a steel hot rolling mill to keep stability in the presence of parametric uncertainties. The H-infinity controller is designed by using the mixed sensitivity approach, while the multivariable decentralized QFT is designed by the extension of the sequential loop closing method presented elsewhere. Stability robustness conditions are verified in the frequency domain, while simulations in time domain are carried out to evaluate the controllers and compare their performance along with that of proportional + integral (PI) and single input single output (SISO) QFT controllers designed earlier. The QFT controller shows the best balance among the performance indicators analyzed here; however, at the expenses of using higher power in one of the control inputs.