This paper presents consistent criteria for evaluating the selection of tuning parameters for an industrial model predictive control of large-scale cross-directional (CD) processes using a two-dimensional (temporal and spatial) frequency analysis technique. The concept of rectangular circulant matrices (RCMs) and their properties are presented. It is shown that large-scale CD processes can be approximated as RCMs and then diagonalized by complex Fourier matrices, allowing analysis in terms of a family of SISO transfer functions across the spatial frequencies. Familiar concepts from control engineering such as bandwidth and stability margin are extended into the two-dimensional frequency domain, providing intuitive measures of closed-loop performance and robustness. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.