Anyone into hands on PID control strategies?

[Chris Wilson]

I am slowly getting my head around PID control of engine control functions like boost control, idle control, and one day traction control. There are many that say even at the OE engine calibration level these MATLAB type strategies for working out an algorithm away from the vehicle are not really used, as at the end of the day trial and error testing give more accurate and stable results. Can anyone share any real world experiences from either the automotive, avionics or industrial control sectors please? Am I wasting my time reading stuff in the hope that I can get close without actually experimenting in real time on the vehicle or engine itself? I was half contemplating getting this:

 

http://www.pidtuning.net/

 

His free tutorials have helped me grasp the concepts a lot better than trying to remember calculus Thanks.