Available at: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/3109
Date of Award
6-2025
Degree Name
MS in Electrical Engineering
Department/Program
Electrical Engineering
College
College of Engineering
Advisor
Vladimir Prodanov
Advisor Department
Electrical Engineering
Advisor College
College of Engineering
Abstract
Keeping one’s heart-rate within a specific range during a cardiovascular workout can be difficult due to many factors including variations in the exercise environment and changes in energy level. One’s heart-rate can be controlled by tuning the intensity level of the activity over time. This study focuses on the relationship between a runner’s cadence and their heart-rate and explores ways to control the heart-rate by adjusting the cadence. Previous work in this area modeled the cadence-heartrate plant as a first-order linear system, but this has been shown to be insufficient. This work improves upon previous research in this area by incorporating a nonlinear cadence-heartrate plant model and investigating multiple nonlinear control schemes. A log-domain integral control scheme and the insertion of a matching filter in the cadence feedback path are among the approaches described. A combination of these two approaches yields an agile control system that does not require much knowledge of the specific plant under control. We provide guidelines for improving the control system as one obtains more information about the plant and we suggest areas for future development.