Design and Experimental Evaluation o`f a PID Based Ship Rudder Control Prototype Referenced to SOLAS

Authors

  • Arif Rakhman Suharso Arif Politeknik Maritim Negeri Indonesia Indonesia
  • Ario Hendartono Politeknik Maritim Negeri Indonesia Indonesia
  • Amthori Anwar Amthori Politeknik Maritim Negeri Indonesia Indonesia
  • Slamet Supriyadi Universitas Persatuan Guru Republik Indonesia Semarang Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26877/asset.v8i2.2739

Keywords:

PID controller, HMC5883L, rudder control, SOLAS, Arduino

Abstract

The Proportional–Integral–Derivative (PID)-based ship rudder control system is an effective method for maintaining a vessel’s heading automatically. This study aims to design and evaluate a ship rudder control prototype in accordance with SOLAS safety standards. The research method employed is Research and Development (R&D), which includes needs analysis, system design, prototype development, and model testing. The cargo ship prototype is equipped with an HMC5883L compass sensor, an Arduino microcontroller, and a servo motor as the rudder actuator. Data processing and PID algorithm implementation are carried out using Visual Basic software. The PID parameters used are Kp = 0.001, Ki = 0.001, and Kd = 0.2, obtained through a tuning process. Testing was conducted in a controlled pool under calm water conditions. The results show that the system achieves a steady-state condition in an average time of 21 seconds with minimal overshoot and small deviation from the setpoint, while complying with the SOLAS requirement of a maximum rudder angle of 35°.

Author Biographies

  • Arif Rakhman Suharso Arif, Politeknik Maritim Negeri Indonesia

    Department of Engineering, Politeknik Maritim Negeri Indonesia, Wringin Putih Village, Bergas District, Semarang Regency 50552, Central Java, Indonesia

  • Ario Hendartono, Politeknik Maritim Negeri Indonesia

    Department of Nautical, Politeknik Maritim Negeri Indonesia, Wringin Putih Village, Bergas District, Semarang Regency 50552, Central Java, Indonesia

  • Amthori Anwar Amthori, Politeknik Maritim Negeri Indonesia

    Department of Nautical, Politeknik Maritim Negeri Indonesia, Wringin Putih Village, Bergas District, Semarang Regency 50552, Central Java, Indonesia

  • Slamet Supriyadi, Universitas Persatuan Guru Republik Indonesia Semarang

    Faculty of Engineering and Informatics, Universitas PGRI Semarang, East Sidodadi, Dr. Cipto Street 24, Karangtempel, East Semarang District, Semarang City 50232, Central Java, Indonesia

References

[1] Lin B, Zheng M, Han B, Chu X, Zhang M, Zhou H, Ding S, Wu H, Zhang K. PSO-based predictive PID-backstepping controller design for the course-keeping of ships. J Mar Sci Eng. 2024;12(2):1–20. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12020202.

[2] Zhang Q, Ding Z, Zhang M. Adaptive self-regulation PID control of course-keeping for ships. Pol Marit Res. 2020;27(1):39–45. https://doi.org/10.2478/pomr-2020-0004.

[3] Peeters G, Kotzé M, Afzal MR, Catoor T, Van Baelen S, Geenen P, et al. An unmanned inland cargo vessel: Design, build, and experiments. Ocean Eng. 2020;201:1-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2020.107056.

[4] International Maritime Organization. SOLAS 2018 Consolidated Edition [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2025 Oct 20]. Available from: https://www.samgongustofa.is/media/english/SOLAS-Consolidated-Edition-2018.docx.pdf.

[5] Suharso AR, Santoso GB, Hendartono A, Kumara RB. Perbandingan sensor incremental rotary encoder dan potensiometer pada simulasi kemudi kapal berbasis Arduino. ELKOMIKA. 2023;11(1):155–166. https://doi.org/10.26760/elkomika.v11i1.155.

[6] Suharso AR, Hendartono A, Susanto. Simulasi daun kemudi kapal dengan variasi beban. ARMATUR. 2024;5(2):126–133. https://doi.org/10.24127/armatur.v5i2.6367.

[7] Świder Z, Trybus L, Stec A. Consistent design of PID controllers for an autopilot. Pol Marit Res. 2023;30(1):78–85. https://doi.org/10.2478/pomr-2023-0008.

[8] Yuan T, Wang T, Fan J, Bai J. Current harmonic suppression in maritime vessel rudder PMSM drive system based on composite fractional-order PID repetitive controller. J Mar Sci Eng. 2024;12(7):1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071108.

[9] Ahmada AI, Wahyudi, Handoyo E. Implementasi pengendali PID untuk navigasi autonomous berbasis global positioning system pada purwarupa autonomous surface vehicle. TRANSIENT. 2020;9(4):574–580. https://doi.org/10.14710/transient.v9i4.574-580.

[10] Rahayu LP, Perdana AR, Permana C, Priananda CW, Adhim FI. Penggunaan metode PID untuk sistem kontrol gerak zig-zag pada pengujian seakeeping miniatur kapal cepat. JAEE. 2022;6(2):89–93. https://doi.org/10.30871/jaee.v6i2.4848.

[11] Li Y, Tang Z, Gong J. The effect of PID control scheme on the course-keeping of ship in oblique stern waves. Brodogradnja. 2023;74(4):155–178. https://doi.org/10.21278/brod74408.

[12] Murra D, Bollanti S, Lazzaro PD, Flora F, Mezi L. Interfacing Arduino boards with optical sensor arrays: Overview and realization of an accurate solar compass. Sensors. 2023;23(24):1–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23249787.

[13] Andrian A, Rahmadewi R, Bangsa I. Arm robot pemindah barang (AtwoR) menggunakan motor servo MG995 sebagai penggerak arm berbasis Arduino. JELEKN. 2020;6(2):142–155. https://doi.org/10.32531/jelekn.v6i2.226.

[14] Putri AR, Nurrahayu P, Anas A. Robot navigation control system using HMC5883L. JAREE. 2019;3(1). https://doi.org/10.12962/j25796216.v3.i1.76.

[15] Nurjaman A, Juandi D, Supriyadi E, Hidayat W, Darhim. Research trends about Visual Basic as a programming language in the learning process: a bibliometric analysis. IJECE. 2024;14(6):6498–6507. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijece.v14i6.pp6498-6507.

[16] Suryadhi, Subur J. Pengaturan kecepatan motor penggerak propeller pada kapal menggunakan metode PID dan MA filter. ZETROEM. 2022;4(2):1–6. https://doi.org/10.36526/ztr.v4i2.2158.

[17] Shi X, Chen P, Chen L. An integrated method for ship heading control using motion model prediction and fractional order proportion integration differentiation controller. J Mar Sci Eng. 2023;11(12):1–24. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11122294.

[18] An JH, Kim HS, Paik KJ. Development of a systematic method for tuning PID control gains in free-running ship simulations. J Mar Sci Eng. 2025;13(9):1–26. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13091813.

[19] Chang H-C, Hsu Y-L, Hung S-S, Ou G-R, Wu J-R, Hsu C. Autonomous water quality monitoring and water surface cleaning for unmanned surface vehicle. Sensors. 2021;21(4):1102. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21041102.

[20] Duran H, Sonmez NK. Design and implementation of the AquaMIB unmanned surface vehicle for real time GIS based spatial interpolation and autonomous water quality monitoring. Appl Sci. 2026;16(3):1209. https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031209.

[21] Saputra RE, Aulia S, Rangkuti S. Desain prototype sistem kendali dan pelacakan pada mesin boat. J Rekayasa Elektr. 2021;17(2):79–85. https://doi.org/10.17529/jre.v17i2.19900.

[22] Wang L, Wu Q, Liu J, Li S, Negenborn R. Ship motion control based on AMBPS-PID algorithm. IEEE Access. 2019;7:183656–183671. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2960098.

[23] Larrazabala J, Santos M. Intelligent rudder control of an unmanned surface vessel. Expert Syst Appl. 2016;55:106–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2016.01.057.

[24] Dlabač T, Ćalasan M, Krčum M, Marvučić N. PSO-based PID controller design for ship coursekeeping autopilot. Brodogradnja. 2019;70(4):1–15. https://doi.org/10.21278/brod70401.

[25] Tanguy H, Lebret G, Doucy O. Multi-objective optimisation of PID and H∞ fin/rudder roll controllers. Conference on Manoeuvring and Control of Marine Crafts; 2003; Girona, Spain. p. 179–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-6670(17)37798-4.

Downloads

Published

2026-03-31