# how to map a pid controller to a process

How do you "map" the output of a PID controller to a process?

Say you have a resistor, a thermometer, and a PID controller. The thermometer provides feedback, and the PID controller can control the electric current of the resistor. You want the resistor to run at X degrees, so you use the PID to regulate the current going through the resistor.

Do you connect the PID such that the controller sets the current to a certain level, or do you connect the PID such that the controller adds/subtracts current to the instantaneous current to reach the desired level?

That is, does a PID's output directly control the process output or does the controller's output keep changing a processes output to reach a desired level?

EDIT: Whooo man, did I write this? I asked this question 2 years ago when I was first fiddling around with a PID. Now, I can barely understand what I was asking. At any rate, @spehro pefhany's answer provided what I think I was looking for back then: a comparison of position- vs velocity-based control.control.

• What do you mean by 'map'? The PID input is the error, which is the difference between required and actual temperatures - both of which are normally represented by direct voltage levels. The PID output drives some form of amplifier that adjusts the voltage across the resistor (or current through, depending on amplifier type). There is a nonlinear relationship between resistor voltage and temperature, but the closed loop will deal with it. – Chu Jul 21 '15 at 6:46
• @Chu I didn't phrase my question very well. I'm confused on how to connect the output of a PID to a process. Will the PID output always be amplified? Or will there be some function that converts PID output to process output? Or does it all depend on the system? – techSultan Jul 21 '15 at 14:04
• The PID output will usually be a low power signal from a DAC that will need some form of amplification. For the system you describe it may be convenient to use a current source. – Chu Jul 21 '15 at 15:44

If you consider current as your output then it "keeps changing" as you say. However if temperature of the resistor is your output then it keeps it at desired level. That is what PID is for. Your feedback should be your temperature and your input is "feedback - desired level" (which is called 'error'). PID deals with current, you don't.