Water Level Control by Fuzzy Logic and Neural
Networks
Daniel Wu Fakhreddine Karray
Dept. of Systems Design Eng. Dept. of Electrical & Computer Eng.
University of Waterloo University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1 Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1
Abstract— The objective of this paper is to investigate and find
a solution by designing the intelligent controllers for controlling
water level system, such as fuzzy logic and neural network. The
controllers also can be specifically run under the circumstance
of system disturbances. To achieve these objectives, a prototype
of water level control system has been built and implementations
of both fuzzy logic and neural network control algorithms are
performed. In fuzzy logic control, Sugeno model is used to
control the system. In neural network control, the approach of
Model Reference Adaptive Neural Network Control based on the
backpropagation algorithm is applied on training the system.
Both control algorithms are developed to embed into a stand-
alone DSP-based micro-controller and their performances are
compared.
I. I NTRODUCTION
Traditionally, accurate mathematical model-based strategies
have been applied to deal with control problems. However,
water level control system, for example, is very complex
system, because of the nonlinearities and uncertainties of a
system. Conventional control approaches are not convenient
to solve the complexities. Fuzzy logic and neural networks
control have emerged over the years and become one of the
most active and fruitful areas of the research in the intelligent
control applications. There are two major different types of
the control rules in fuzzy control: the Mamdani type and the
Sugeno type. The Mamdani control rules are significantly more
linguistically intuitive while Sugeno rules appear to have more
interpolation power even for a relative small number of control
rules. In neural network control, the most commonly used
ones are supervised control, direct inverse control and neural
adaptive control.
There are many papers addressed the fuzzy or neural
networks control in the water or liquid level control system.
Niimura et al. utilized the fuzzy logic for water level control in
small hydro-generating units[1]. Roubos et al. chose Sugeno
fuzzy model as the model structure for a linear model based
predictive control of the liquid level [2]. Ghwanmeh et al.
showed a self-learning fuzzy logic control applied to a non-
linear process and demonstrated the robust and repeatable
performance [3]. Naman et al. presented an adaptive model-
reference fuzzy controller for controlling the water level in a
water tank [4]. Xiao et al. provided a backpropagation neural
network algorithm used to adjust the parameters of the PID
controller and control the liquid level of molten steel smelling
Insop Song
Dept. of Systems Design Eng.
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1
Sensor
Water Level
Valve2
Water Tank
3
2 3
Pump Servor
Motor
Valve3 Valve1
DSP Controller
Fig. 1. Configuration of the Water Level Control System. The system consists
of the servo motor, valves, a pump, a infra-red sensor and a DSP controller.
non-crystalloid [5].
In this paper, we first elaborate the configuration of the
water level control system. Then, we introduce Sugeno fuzzy
control [7], [8] and model reference adaptive neural network
control (MRANNC) [6], [9], [10] strategies based on back-
propagation algorithm. Finally, some experimental and real-
time results using DSP controller are presented.
II. S YSTEM C ONFIGURATION
Figure 1 shows the system configuration. The system con-
sists of the servo motor, valves, a pump, a infra-red sensor and
a DSP controller. Water is constantly pumped into a vertical
tube by a pump. Water can outflow from the horizontal tube.
The general control objective is to reach and stabilize a certain
water level in the vertical tube. As shown in the figure, a
sensor measures the water level and sends height signal to
the DSP micro-controller. The controller controls the servo
motor, which adjusts the valve 1 to maintain a desired water
level in the vertical tube. Valve 2 constantly opens and valve 3
randomly opens to provide disturbances to the control system.
III. F UZZY L OGIC C ONTROL
In Fuzzy control, two inputs for the system are chosen.
They are an error (e) and an error derivative (ė). The error
is calculated by taking the difference between the reference
 1 If e is HN OPEN valve WIDE
2 If e is N and ė is NOT P OPEN valve A BIT HN N S P HP
3 If e is N and ė is P LEAVE valve ALONE
4 If e is S and ė is N OPEN valve A BIT
5 If e is S and ė is S LEAVE valve ALONE
6 If e is S and ė is P CLOSE valve A BIT
7 If e is P and ė is N LEAVE valve ALONE -15 -5 -2 0 2 5 15
8 If e is P and ė is NOT N CLOSE valve A BIT
9 If e is HP CLOSE valve A LOT (a) Error Membership Functions
TABLE I
RULE BASE N S P

Output Functions
1 OPEN valve WIDE 900 · e + 0 · ė − 20 -4 -0.5 0 0.5 4
2 OPEN valve A BIT −50 · e − 200 · ė − 20
3 LEAVE valve ALONE −5 · e + 0 · ė + 0 (b) Error-Dot Membership Functions
4 CLOSE valve A BIT −50 · e − 2000 · ė + 20
5 CLOSE valve A LOT −100 · e + 0 · ė + 20
error
TABLE II
O UTPUT F UNCTIONS . HN N S P HP
N 1 2 2 3 5
error_dot
S 1 2 3 4 5
P 1 3 4 4 5
signal and the current water height. The error derivative is
calculated by subtracting a previous error from the current (c) Mapping
error. The output of the system is a voltage that is sent to a
servo motor to control the valve 1.
Fig. 2. Membership Functions and Mapping
The Sugeno model is used in the system. The Sugeno model
is computationally efficient, and works well with optimization
and adaptive techniques, so it is popular for control problems, ei -
in particular for dynamic nonlinear systems. The Sugeno fuzzy NN yi ec
identifier
model takes the form: - +
ec TDL TDL ei
IF e is A AND ė is B, THEN SERVO is f (e, ė) +
r (t ) TDL yp
NN u Nonlinear
controller
The output function f (e, ė) takes the form: Plant

TDL TDL
A2 e + A1 ė + A0

The parameters of the output function A2 , A1 , and A0 can

be modified through the micro-controller interface.
The rule base used here is shown in Table I. Five mem-
bership functions for the error are shown in Figure 2(a),
and three for the error derivative are shown in Figure
2(b). The rules mapping is shown in Figure 2(c). Labels
in Table I and Figure 2 are as follows: HN=High Nega-
tive;N=Negative;S=Small;P=Positive; HP=High Positive;
For the Sugeno model, output functions must be defined.
This will decide how the system provides the proper control
through the manipulation of the valve 1. Table II shows the
output functions and nominal tuning values that the controller
uses on start up. Each of these parameters can be modified
using the user interface of the micro-controller.
IV. N EURAL N ETWORK C ONTROL
In this paper, the Model Reference Adaptive Neural Net-
work Control approach based on backpropagation algorithm
is applied to implement the water level control system. Figure
Fig. 3. Neural Network Control in Water Level Control Systems, TDL
denotes time delays of the input or output signals.
3 shows the control structure. TDL in Figure 3 denotes time
delays of the input or output signals.
A. Neural Network for Identifier
The neural network for identifier is designed as a three-
layer neural network. It has a input layer, a hidden layer,
and an output layer. Nii ,Nji and Nki are their output values
respectively. The neuron numbers in the hidden layers can be
chosen depending on the practical training result.
The neural network identifier models are trained to learn the
forward dynamics of the plant. Six inputs and one output are
selected as the identifer model for the system. These six inputs
are the control signals: u(t − i), i = 0...2, and the previous
output signals: y(t − j), j = 1...3. These signals provide the
current and previous two control signals, and also incorporate N ic N cj
N kc N ij
in the historical trend from the last three time steps of the N ii
N ki
output of the system. A set of corresponding input-output
training patterns is selected from the open-loop continuous wcji wkjc
wiji wkji
signal response of the system. The control input signal is
directly added to servo motor of the system and system output
NN Contorller NN identifier
signal is reflected with the sensor, which is actual water level.
In training a neural network to learn a forward dynamic
model of a plant, the backpropagation error signal between Fig. 4. The Connection Between the Controller and the Identifier
the output and the hidden layer is expressed as

δk = Tk − Nki (1) To illustrate the derivation of the error signals for the neural
network controller, Figure 4 provides the connections between
where Tk is the target pattern and Nki is the actual output of the controller and identifier networks.
the identifier, and between the hidden and input layers, it is The adaptation of the weights of the neural network con-
expressed as X troller between the hidden and output layers can be derived as
′
δj = f (netj ) δk · wkj (2) follows:
k c ∂E i
∆wkj =η· c (6)
′
Here, f (netj ) is the derivative of the activation function ∂wkj
f (netj ) where where
1
f (netj ) = (3) 1
1 + exp(−netj ) Ei =
· (yp − r)2 (7)
2
The weights between the input and hidden layers are updated where yp and r are the actual and desired plant output. The
as superscript c denotes the variables belonging to the neural
∆wji (t + 1) = η · δj · Nii + α · ∆wji (t) (4) network controller and superscript i denotes the variables
and the weights between the hidden and output layer are belonging to the neural network identifier.
updated as Using chain rule, equation (6) can be expanded as follows:

∆wkj (t + 1) = η · δk · Nji + α · ∆wkj (t) (5) c ∂E i ∂netck

∆wkj =η· ·
∂netck ∂wkj
c
where Nii and Nji are the outputs of the input and hidden
so
layers, respectively, η is the learning rate, and α is the c
∆wkj = η · δkc · Njc (8)
momentum coefficients. The constants η, α are all chosen
empirically. where
∂E i
B. Neural Network for Controller δkc =
∂netck
The neural network controller is created directly based on
and
the neural network identifier. Its design is fully incorporated ∂netck
the learning strategy into the trained identifier. The weights Njc = c
∂wkj
of the neural network identifier are constantly verified against
the actual plant output. This ensures that the weights allow δkc is the error signal between the hidden and output layers
the neural network identifier to properly predict actual plant of the neural network controller. Linear functions are used at
output. The neural network identifer is used as means to the input and output neurons of the neural networks between
backpropagate the performance error to get the equivalent error the controller and identifier. Therefore, δkc can be represented
at the output of the neural network controller. as follows:
The accuracy of the plant model is critical in ensuring that ∂E i ∂E i ∂E i
the controller is accurate as well. The error between the plant δkc = = = (9)
∂Nkc ∂netii ∂Nii
output and the identifier output is also checked for the accuracy
level of the identifier. This error is used to backpropagate and where netii and Nii are the input and output of the identifier
adjust the weights of the identifier to provide the most accurate input layer neurons. Further using chain rule
representation of the plant. The neural network for controller
∂E i ∂netij
is also designed as a three-layer neural network. It has a input δkc = · (10)
layer, a hidden layer, and an output layer. Nic , Njc and Nkc are ∂netij ∂Nii
their output values respectively. The neuron numbers in the Hence,
hidden layers can be chosen also depending on the practical ∂E i
= δji
training result. ∂netij
 NN In ni nj nk η α Plant Disturbance Training Data Y
Identifier 6 10 1 0.00001 0.8
4.5 U
Controller 10 20 1 0.00005 0.65
4

3.5
TABLE III
3
PARAMETERS S ETUP

Voltage (V)
2.5

1.5

and 0.5

∂netij i
0

= wji 1 201 401 601 801 1001 1201 1401

Sample
1601 1801 2001 2201 2401 2601

∂Nii
so,
Fig. 5. Plant Disturbance Training Data, U is an input signal and Y is a
δkc = δji · wji
i
(11) output of the sensor

The error signal between the input and hidden layer of the Plant Test Data Y

neural network controller can be derived as follows: 4.5

U

∂E i
∂E i ∂Njc 4

δjc = c = · (12) 3.5

∂netj ∂Njc ∂netcj 3

2.5

Voltage (V)
By using chain rule 2

1.5

∂E i X ∂E i ∂netc 1
k
c = ·
∂Nj ∂netck ∂Njc 0.5

0
1 401 801 1201 1601 2001 2401 2801 3201 3601 4001 4401 4801 5201 5601
-0.5
and Sample

∂Njc ′
= f (netcj )
∂netcj Fig. 6. Plant Test Data

where
′
f (netcj ) = Njc · (1 − Njc )
so,
X line training of the controller will be feasible to reach.
δjc = Njc · (1 − Njc ) · ( δkc · wkj
c
) (13)
The weights of the neural network identifier can be further
improved online if necessary. This can be reached by back-
propagation of the following error equation through the neural
network identifier at every sample. yp and yi are the outputs
of the actual plant and neural network identifier, respectively.
1
e= · (yp − yi )2 (14)
2 of the plant response to a characteristic input signal. It was
V. E XPERIMENTAL R ESULTS
The neural network control algorithm were first trained and
tested with C language with a normal PC. Then, the algorithm
were ported to DSP-based controller and tested.
A. Training and Testing for Neural Network Control
1) Parameters Setup: In order to have quicker calculation
without sacrificing performance, some parameters were setup
as shown in Table III. In Table III, ni ,nj and nk denote
the number of nodes in the input layer, hidden layer and
output layer, respectively, η and α denote learning rate and
momentum term, respectively.
2) Identifier Training and Testing: The trained identifier
will be used as a representation of the system plant to
effectively create a controller for the system. Then, the off-
1. Training Data
An open loop system was used to obtain a system response
curve for the plant response to a random input signal. Figure
5 shows the input signal used for training of the NN iden-
tifier. This was done by sending a voltage signal through a
potentiometer into the servo motor, and it controls the valve
1. By creating a random input control signal and measuring
the sensor output while a random and a constant disturbance
exists. A set of data was created and indicated the behavior
designed to fall within the operating range of the sensor. As
shown in the figure, the input signal u varies between values
of 2V and 4V .
2. Testing Data
Once the training portion of the Identifier is completed, it
needs to be verified with the training results. A selection of
similar data was created for testing the trained network. Figure
6 shows a set of testing data used for the Identifier.
3. Identifier Training
Identifier training resulted to a level of error of 7.9842
after 150,000 epochs. At the cut-off of 150,000 epochs, the
identifier was still converging on an error, but extremely
slowly. Then, this level of an error was used to move onto
 Identifier Training Error Controller Training Data
Error Desired
1000 35

30

25
100

Water Level (cm)

Error (V)
20

15

10
10

1 0
100 1000 10000 100000 1000000 1 101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 901 1001 1101 1201 1301
Epoch Test Sample

Fig. 7. Identifier Training Error Fig. 9. Controller Training Data

Identifier Test Data U Controller Test Data

Y Test Data
4.5
Y-PRED 40

35
4

30
3.5

Water Level (cm)

3 25

2.5 20
Voltage (V)

2 15

1.5 10

1 5

0.5 0
1 26 51 76 101 126 151 176 201 226 251 276 301 326 351 376
0 Sample
1 501 1001 1501 2001 2501 3001 3501 4001 4501 5001 5501
-0.5
Epoch

Fig. 10. Controller Testing Data

Fig. 8. Identifier Testing Results

completed, it needs to verify that training. A set of data

controller training. Figure 7 shows the trend of decreasing was selected for testing the controller training. Since the
error in the identifier training. training data used was designed to be a component of typical
4. Identifier Testing operational values, a similar set of data was created for testing
The error seen as a result of testing is shown in Figure 8. the trained network.
Since the level of error seen is on the same scale of that for the 3. Controller Training
training, then moving to controller training became the next In Figure 11, convergence towards the goal of small error
step. It is believed that a more rigorous training could result is clearly seen in the controller training algorithm. However,
in better error and better performance for controller training the error does not reach the desired cut-off. Despite this, the
and final implementation. weights trained as a result of this training provide a very good
3) Controller Training and Testing: In order to effectively response when the testing data is used to evaluate the controller
create a controller for the system, the existing system was weights.
analyzed in an off-line setup. The goal in the project is 4. Controller Testing
to develop a controller through simulation and use more As shown in Figure 12, the weights for both the identifier
computer resources in a highly effective manner. It proved far and controller had been trained to a level that provided an
more effective to design the training and testing in an off-line acceptable level of prediction, and showed that the controller
format. was working as expected.
1. Training Data
Figure 9 shows the reference signal used for training of the Controller Training Error
neural network controller. It was designed to maintain a level 1000
Error

within the operating range of the sensors. A random signal

was created that would provide the controller with typical 100

values that a user could choose during normal operation. These

Error (V)

values were held within the ideal operating range for which
10

the identifier was trained.

2. Testing Data
1

Figure 10 shows a set of testing data used for the neural 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000

Epoch
network controller. As can be seen, this pattern is somewhat
similar to that seen in the training. As was the case in
the identifier, once the training portion of the controller is Fig. 11. Controller Training Error
 Neural Network Control Results
Controller Test Data Setpoint
R Sensor1
30
Y
1.4

25
1.2

1 20

Water Level (cm)

Voltage (V)
0.8
15

0.6
10

0.4

5
0.2

0
0

17

25

33

41

49

57

65

73

81

89

97

105

113

121

129

137

145

153

161

169

177

185

193

201

209

217
1 26 51 76 101 126 151 176 201 226 251 276 301 326 351 376
Time (s)
Sample

Fig. 12. Controller Testing Fig. 14. Online Neural Network Control Result

Fuzzy Control Result Sensor

Setpoint comparisons between the two control schemes based on the
30
experimental results.
25

FLC NNC
20
Plant Math Model Unnecessary Unnecessary
Water Level

15
Computation Light Heavy
Tracking Performance Good Better
10 Disturbance Rejection Good Better

5
TABLE IV
C OMPARISON BETWEEN THE FUZZY CONTROL AND NEURAL NETWORK
0
CONTROL BASED ON THE EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
1

11

21

31

41

51

61

71

81

91

101

111

121

131

141

151

161

171

181

191

201

211

221

231

Time (s)

Fig. 13. Online Fuzzy Control Result

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the success of the control. Once trained, the neural network
does not require for tuning. Table IV shows a summary of