Mathematics Subject Classification: 26A33; 93C15, 93C55, 93B36, 93B35, 93B51; 03B42; 70Q05; 49N05This paper proposes a novel method to design an H∞ -optimal fractional order PID (FOPID) controller with ability to control the transient, steady-state response and stability margins characteristics. The method uses particle swarm optimization algorithm and operates based on minimizing a general cost function. Minimization of the cost function is carried out subject to the H∞ -norm; this norm is also...