Closed-Loop Temperature Control System (Simulation)

Project Overview:
This project involved designing and simulating a closed-loop temperature control system using GNU Octave, following MATLAB-style programming conventions, to explore foundational mechatronics engineering principles. The system models a thermal process regulated by a feedback controller, which activates an electrical heater based on real-time temperature measurements. Applications of this type of system are common in HVAC systems, manufacturing processes, and automotive thermal management.

Objective:
The main goal was to understand the interaction between mechanical system dynamics, electrical components, and software-based control logic within a closed-loop system. The thermal model accounted for heat input, heat loss, and system inertia, while the controller logic determined actuator behavior based on the temperature error relative to a desired setpoint.

Control Strategy:
An on/off controller with hysteresis (deadband) was implemented to prevent rapid switching near the setpoint. Simulations demonstrated the system temperature converging toward the target value and maintaining stability within an acceptable range, validating effective feedback control and realistic system behavior.

Challenges & Adaptations:
Limited access to MATLAB required adapting the project to GNU Octave, addressing function compatibility differences.
Unsupported plotting functions were replaced with alternatives, and excessive command-window output from vector operations was resolved through debugging.
Early controller versions exhibited instability near the setpoint, which was corrected by introducing hysteresis to mimic real-world thermostat behavior.

Skills & Competencies Demonstrated:
Mechanical Engineering: Thermal system modeling, heat transfer, system inertia concepts
Electrical Engineering: Actuator modeling, sensor-based feedback representation
Software Engineering: Control algorithm development, time-domain simulation, data visualization, debugging, and platform adaptation

Project Status: Completed

Outcome:
This project demonstrates the ability to translate physical systems into computational models, adapt to software constraints, iteratively refine performance, and apply multidisciplinary engineering principles—key competencies in mechatronics engineering.