Experimental Modeling of a New Multi-Degree-of-Freedom Fuzzy Controller Based Maximum Power Point Tracking from a Photovoltaic System
, Mohamed-Nabil Sabry 1, Mohamed I. Abu El-Sebah 3,* and Shady A. Maged 1Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The manuscript proposes a new multi degree of freedom (MDOF) fuzzy logic controller (FLC) for maximizing the overall output performance of a photovoltaic system, which speeds up 18 the system performance and minimizes error. The work is interesting, and several details should be illustrated as the following:
1. Abstract section should be simplified, and compared to others’ work for proving the advantage.
2. The contributions of this paper should be rewritten for easy understanding in Lines 88 - 94.
3. More details for the design of the MDOF-FLC should be proposed
4. The experiment results should be compared to theoretical computation result.
5. The English requires more attentions throughout the manuscript. The authors should check the English presentation throughout the manuscript.
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 1 Comments
Point 1: Abstract section should be simplified, and compared to others’ work for proving the advantage.
Response 1: Thank you for your comment; we updated the abstract according to the requirements.
Point 2: The contributions of this paper should be rewritten for easy understanding in Lines 88 - 94.
Response 2: Thank you for your comment; we updated this section by rewriting the contribution in lines 85-89.
Point 3: More details for the design of the MDOF-FLC should be proposed.
Response 3: Thank you for your comment; More details about the MDOF concept was added in section 6, lines 293-297.
Point 4: The experiment results should be compared to theoretical computation result.
Response 4: Thank you for your comment; we updated the manuscript by adding a comparison between the theoretical and experimental work in the result section, lines 456-461.
Point 5: The English requires more attentions throughout the manuscript. The authors should check the English presentation throughout the manuscript.
Response 5: Than you for your comment; we updated the manuscript with a linguistic corrections throughout the manuscript.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
This paper deals with a new fuzzy controller applied to the problem of maximum power point tracking. A good point of this work is the experimental verification. Another good point is the comparison with respect to previous techniques. The following points should be considered:
You should try to shorten your title. Besides, why do you use the term “Experimental modeling” in your title? It is assumed that the main contribution of your paper is the proposal of a “new multi degree of freedom fuzzy controller” and not “experimental modeling of maximum power point tracking from a photo- voltaic system”
Although I find acceptable your English language, it would be better if a native speaker reviews the document.
In line 52, you use “ANFIS”. I assumed ANFIS means: “adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system”. The first time that you mention this technique you should use the complete name and then only ”ANFIS”.
Some words about how to implement this controller without using MicroLabBox dSPACE1202 442 platform should be mentioned. That is, how does this controller could be implemented in an embedded system? (You could add this information in conclusion section as future work).
Could you devote some words about the stability of this controller? How could you try to demonstrate mathematically the stability of this system (this could also be considered as future work).
The following papers could enrich your references:
Robust Flatness Tracking Control for the “DC/DC Buck Converter-DC Motor” System: Renewable Energy-Based Power Supply, Vol 2021, Complexity, https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/2158782
R. Silva Ortigoza et al., "A Trajectory Tracking Control for a Boost Converter‑Inverter‑DC Motor Combination," in IEEE Latin America Transactions, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 1008-1014, April 2018, doi: 10.1109/TLA.2018.8362130.
Finally, please, mention more possible applications of this system additionally to the solar pump.
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 2 Comments
Point 1: You should try to shorten your title. Besides, why do you use the term “Experimental modeling” in your title? It is assumed that the main contribution of your paper is the proposal of a “new multi degree of freedom fuzzy controller” and not “experimental modeling of maximum power point tracking from a photo- voltaic system”
Response 1: Thank you for your comment; we updated the title of the manuscript.
Point 2: Although I find acceptable your English language, it would be better if a native speaker reviews the document.
Response 2: Than you for your comment; we updated the manuscript with a linguistic corrections throughout the manuscript.
Point 3: In line 52, you use “ANFIS”. I assumed ANFIS means: “adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system”. The first time that you mention this technique you should use the complete name and then only ”ANFIS”.
Response 3: Thank you for your comment; we updated line 52 (line 47 after changes).
Point 4: Some words about how to implement this controller without using MicroLabBox dSPACE1202 442 platform should be mentioned. That is, how does this controller could be implemented in an embedded system? (You could add this information in conclusion section as future work).
Response 4: Thank you for your comment; we updated the manuscript by adding details as future work in the conclusion section.
Point 5: Could you devote some words about the stability of this controller? How could you try to demonstrate mathematically the stability of this system (this could also be considered as future work).
Response 5: Thank you for your comment; we updated the manuscript by adding details as future work in the conclusion section.
Point 6: The following papers could enrich your references:
Robust Flatness Tracking Control for the “DC/DC Buck Converter-DC Motor” System: Renewable Energy-Based Power Supply, Vol 2021, Complexity, https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/2158782
- Silva Ortigoza et al., "A Trajectory Tracking Control for a Boost Converter‑Inverter‑DC Motor Combination," in IEEE Latin America Transactions, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 1008-1014, April 2018, doi: 10.1109/TLA.2018.8362130.
Response 7: Thank you for your comment; we updated the manuscripts by adding the proposed references [29,30].
Point 7: Finally, please, mention more possible applications of this system additionally to the solar pump.
Response 7: Thank you for your comment; we added another application in the introduction section, lines 25–26.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
This paper focuses on a new multi degree of freedom (MDOF) fuzzy logic controller (FLC) for maximizing the overall output performance of a photovoltaic system. However, some descriptions are not clear. Some revisions are necessary in the manuscript.
1. Buck-Boost Converter is very mature. Please explain why the third part was redesigned?
2. Please make sure all the parameters in the article are defined.
3. Please explain which part of the model in the article is modified from the traditional model.
4. Please explain the stability of proposed MDOF Fuzzy Logic Controller.
5. In the paper, authors have focused on control methods for photovoltaic system. The difference between intelligent control methods applied to intelligent systems are suggested to supply to indicate advantages of your work, which can refer to：
[a] IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 3081-3097, Dec. 2017.
[b] IEEE Trans. Fuzzy Systems, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 75-87, 2022
[c] IEEE Trans. Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems, vol. 50, no. 7, pp. 2534-2540, 2020
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 3 Comments
Point 1: Buck-Boost Converter is very mature. Please explain why the third part was redesigned?
Response 1: Thank you for your comment; Although this section is well-known to some researchers, it may need to be better known to others. However, it provides essential data for the design of the converter and its parameters.
Point 2: Please make sure all the parameters in the article are defined.
Response 2: Thank you for your comment; we checked all parameters throughout the manuscript.
Point 3: Please explain which part of the model in the article is modified from the traditional model.
Response 3: Thank you for your comment; The SUIPID controller was modified from the traditional PID controller to a simplified universal intelligent PID controller based on the MDOF concept. As the SUIPID controller consists of two parts, use a simple PID controller and apply the concept of the MDOF (more details in Section 4).
Point 4: Please explain the stability of proposed MDOF Fuzzy Logic Controller.
Response 4: Thank you for your comment; The MDOF-FLC consists of two fuzzy controllers with different designs to cover two regions of the errors. So, studying the stability of the MDOF-FLC includes studying the stability of each fuzzy controller. The stability analysis of fuzzy control systems has been complex since fuzzy systems are essentially nonlinear systems. Recently, stability analysis techniques based on nonlinear stability theory have been developed. We consider studying the stability of the MDOF-FLC a future work, as it needs more time and the study analysis needs another paper.
We updated the manuscript by considering the stability study in the conclusion section as future work.
Point 5: In the paper, authors have focused on control methods for photovoltaic system. The difference between intelligent control methods applied to intelligent systems are suggested to supply to indicate advantages of your work, which can refer to：
[a] IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 3081-3097, Dec. 2017.
[b] IEEE Trans. Fuzzy Systems, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 75-87, 2022
[c] IEEE Trans. Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems, vol. 50, no. 7, pp. 2534-2540, 2020
Response 5: Thank you for your comment; we updated the manuscripts by adding the proposed references [31-33].
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 4 Report
Dear Authors
The work requires a thorough editorial correction and there is no discussion of the results.
Comments and questions are provided in the manuscript.
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 4 Comments
Point 1: The work requires a thorough editorial correction and there is no discussion of the results.
Response 1: Thank you for your comment; all the required corrections have been made, and a discussion of the results has been added in the conclusion section.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
All the comments have been revised, and it could be accepted for publication.
Reviewer 4 Report
Dear Authors
Thank you very much for introducing corrections and taking into account my suggestions and comments.
