A control system that anticipates process errors by using input information is known as what type of controller?

A control system that anticipates process errors by utilizing input information is known as a feed forward controller. This type of control mechanism works by measuring inputs and predicting how those inputs will affect the system's output. By making adjustments before errors can occur, feed forward control can enhance the responsiveness and stability of processes, particularly in dynamic systems where changes can happen rapidly.

In contrast, a manual controller relies on human intervention to make adjustments based on observed performance, which does not have the proactive nature of a feed forward approach. A compound controller often refers to a system that integrates both feed forward and feedback elements, but it may not specifically focus on anticipating errors solely based on input data. A feedback controller uses the output of a system to make corrections based on actual performance, responding to errors after they occur rather than anticipating them in advance. This can lead to a delay in corrective actions as it reacts to changes instead of proactively addressing potential issues.