Journal of Mechatronics and Artificial Intelligence
Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): JMAI: December 2025

A Comparative Study of Data-Driven Control Tuning: VRFT and FRIT for DC Motor Speed Regulation

Dede Irawan Saputra (Jenderal Achmad Yani University)
Dadang Lukman Hakim (Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Dec 2025

Abstract

This study compares two data-driven control tuning methods Virtual Reference Feedback Tuning (VRFT), and Fictitious Reference Iterative Tuning (FRIT) applied to a DC motor speed control system. Both methods aim to achieve a predefined closed-loop behaviour without explicit plant modelling, relying instead on measured input–output data. For the VRFT method, single-shot open-loop data were collected using a PRBS signal to excite the DC motor, while FRIT used a single-shot closed-loop experiment under an initial PI controller. Each method used the same reference model, a first-order system with a 2 second time constant, to guide the tuning process. The VRFT approach produced a 6-DOF controller through least-squares optimization, whereas the FRIT method refined the parameters of a PI controller by minimizing a defined cost function. Simulations conducted at target speeds of 60 and 100 RPM demonstrated that both controllers delivered comparable tracking performance, despite having different structural designs. These findings confirm that both VRFT and FRIT can generate effective control strategies from limited data, providing design flexibility while still achieving the desired closed-loop behaviour.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jmai

Publisher

Subject

Description

The Journal of Mechatronics and Artificial Intelligence (JMAI) (E-ISSN 3048-4227 P-ISSN 3062-729X) serves as a platform for disseminating scholarly research related to the fields of mechatronics and artificial intelligence, as well as related sub-disciplines. We extend an invitation to researchers, ...