Interpreting the RGA

What is the RGA?

Relative Gain Array is an analytical tool used to
determine the optimal input-output variable
pairings for a multi-input-multi-output (MIMO)
system.

Example of RGA Analysis: 2 x 2 system

Steady-state process model,

Chapter 18

Y1 K11U1 K12U 2
Y2 K 21U1 K 22U 2
The RGA is defined as:
11 12

22
21

RGA

where the relative gain, ij, relates the ith controlled

variable and the jth manipulated variable

open - loop gain

ij
closed - loop gain

Scaling Properties:

Chapter 18

i) ij is dimensionless
ii)

ij

ij

1.0

For 2 x 2 system,
1
11
,
K K
1 12 21
K11K 22

12 1 11 21

Recommended Controller Pairing

Corresponds to the ij which has the largest positive
value.

Significance of the RGA

Below is a general relative gain array

Significance of the RGA

Below is a general relative gain array
Different columns represent the different
manipulated (input) variables

Significance of the RGA

Below is a general relative gain array
Different columns represent the different
manipulated (input) variables
Different rows represent the different controlled
(output) variables

Significance of the RGA

The values in the array describe the relationship
between the input and output variables
Negative values indicate an unstable
relationship
A value of 0 indicates no relationship
A value of 1 indicates that specific input variable
is the only influence on that output variable

Example 1
Assume a mixing tank with constant mass and two
inputs as shown below:

wA and wB are manipulated flowrates entering the tank

w is the flowrate leaving the tank and xA is the
concentration of A in the tank
Example from
http://eweb.chemeng.ed.ac.uk/courses/control/restricted/course/advanced/casestudy/exercise2.html

Example 1 (cont.)
This process can be
modeled by the
following equations:
w = wA + wB
xA = wA/(wA + wB)

The RGA can be

solved for this
system:

x
R e la tiv e G a in A r r a y
1 x

1 x
x

Example 1

Solution
What does the RGA tell us?
If a concentration of xA=0.5 is desired, either
wA or wB can be used
If a concentration of xA>0.5 is desired, then
the concentration loop should be paired with
wA
If a concentration of xA<0.5 is desired, then
the concentration loop should be paired with
wB

Example 2
Run

R(kg/min)

S(kg/min)

xD

xB

125

22

0.97

0.04

150

22

0.93

0.06

150

20

0.91

0.08

Adapted from
http://eweb.chemeng.ed.ac.uk/courses/control/restricted/course/advanced/casestudy/exercise2.html

1
11
K12 K 21
1
K11 K 22

x
R e la tiv e G a in A r r a y
1 x

1 x
x

Example 2

Solution
RGA Matrix
2

-1

-1

Pairing of variables: RGA matrix value

should be 1)positive, then 2)close to 1.
Because each combination has only one
positive value, that is the combination to
be paired (R,xD and P,xB)

Example 3
Suppose you
calculate the following
RGA matrix. How
should pairing of the
variables occur?

-.25

1.25

0.75

0.8

-0.55

0.5

0.2

0.3

Example 3

Solution
In the first row,
only x3 gives a
positive result, and
then we go with
the closest values
to 1 for the others.
y1,x3
y2,x2
y3,x1

-.25

1.25

0.75

0.8

-0.55

0.5

0.2

0.3

Decoupling Control Systems

Chapter 18

Basic Idea: Use additional controllers to compensate for process

interactions and thus reduce control loop interactions
Ideally, decoupling control allows setpoint changes to affect only
the desired controlled variables.
Typically, decoupling controllers are designed using a simple
process model (e.g. steady state model or transfer function model)

Chapter 18

Design Equations:
We want cross-controller, GC12, to cancel out the effect of U2 on Y1.
Thus, we would like,

Chapter 18

T12GP11U 2 GP12U 2 0
Since U2 0 (in general), then

GP12
T12
GP11
Similarly, we want G21 to cancel the effect of M1 on C2. Thus, we
require that...

T21GP 22U1 GP 21U1 0

T21

GP 21
GP 22

cf. with design equations for FF control based on block diagram

analysis

Process Interaction

Chater 18

Corrective Action (via cross-controller or decoupler).

Ideal Decouplers:

GP12 ( s )
T12 ( s )
GP11 ( s )
GP 21 ( s )
T21 ( s )
GP 22 ( s )