The Role of Simple Techniques in Model Order Reduction Backed by Fast Interactive Simulation to Verify Model Accuracy

The role of simplified model order reduction techniques relying solely on neglecting relatively large system poles is re-examined. The case is made that, whilst the limited success rate of such an approach may not in the past have justified the time spent in testing the performance of models so produced, the advent of fast, simple to use, interactive simulation languages now makes this simple method much more attractive as a first try. The good results which simple techniques can achieve is shown by application to a tenth order model of an electronic arc furnace electrode position controller. This is reduced to a sixth order model by the simple technique and also by a mathematically rigorous plane-projection method. A comparison of the resulting models shows that the one produced simply is just as good and avoids the mathematical complexity of other techniques.