Integratorüberläufe

Integratorüberläufe, also known as integrator windup or saturation, occur in control systems when an integrator component is forced to accumulate a value beyond its physical limits. This typically happens when the system's output is saturated, meaning it cannot increase or decrease further due to constraints in actuators or other system components. For example, if a motor's speed is controlled by an integrator, and the motor reaches its maximum speed, the integrator will continue to try to increase the speed, leading to an accumulation of error.

When integratorüberläufe occurs, the integrator's output can become very large. If the error then reverses, the integrator must unwind its accumulated value before it can start to correct the error, resulting in sluggish system response and potentially instability. This delay in response can be significant and detrimental to the system's performance, especially in applications requiring fast and precise control.

To mitigate integratorüberläufe, several techniques are employed. Anti-windup strategies are commonly implemented. These methods typically involve limiting the integrator's accumulation when saturation is detected. One common approach is to "clamp" the integrator's output to its saturation limits. Another method is to reset or reduce the integrator's state when the control output is saturated. By preventing the integrator from accumulating excessive error during saturation, these techniques help to improve the system's dynamic response and prevent prolonged periods of poor performance.