Define "feedforward control".

Feedforward control is a proactive control strategy that aims to anticipate potential disturbances before they affect the system. By recognizing the possibility of these disturbances, the system can make preemptive corrections to maintain desired performance and stability. This approach is particularly effective in environments where disturbances can be predicted based on measurable variables, allowing adjustments to be made before the disturbance impacts the system output.

The essence of feedforward control lies in its ability to improve system behavior by addressing problems before they arise, rather than waiting for a disturbance to occur and responding to it afterward. This fundamentally differentiates it from reactive approaches, where actions are taken only after a deviation has happened, thus minimizing the impact of disturbances on the system.

This proactive nature of feedforward control makes it especially valuable in complex control systems where maintaining optimal performance is critical. The ability to adjust based on anticipated conditions allows for smoother operation and reduces the lag that can result from responding to disturbances retroactively.