What does DMC stand for in process control?

• A. Dynamic matrix control
• B. Digital model control
• C. Dynamic margin control
• D. Distributed matrix calculation

Answer: (A)

Dynamic Matrix Control is a model predictive control approach used in process control. It predicts future process behavior using a dynamic model organized in a matrix form, typically built from step-response data. At each sampling instant, it looks ahead over a prediction horizon and computes the sequence of input changes that minimizes a cost function—aiming to track setpoints while limiting actuator changes and honoring constraints on inputs and outputs. The “dynamic” aspect accounts for the process dynamics and delays, while the “matrix” aspect reflects how past, current, and future inputs and outputs are represented and related in a compact mathematical structure. This makes the control problem a structured optimization that can be solved efficiently in real time. The other phrases aren’t standard terms for this well-known MPC method, so Dynamic Matrix Control is the correct expansion.