On-line tuning strategy for model predictive controllers

This paper presents an intuitive on-line tuning strategy for linear model predictive control (MPC) algorithms. The tuning strategy is based on the linear approximation between the closed-loop predicted output and the MPC tuning parameters. By direct utilization of the sensitivity expressions for the closed-loop response with respect to the MPC tuning parameters, new values of the tuning parameters can be found to steer the MPC feedback response inside predefined time-domain performance specifications. Hence, the algorithm is cast as a simple constrained least squares optimization problem which has a straightforward solution. The simplicity of this strategy makes it more practical for on-line implementation. Effectiveness of the proposed strategy is tested on two simulated examples. One is a linear model for a three-product distillation column and the second is a non-linear model for a CSTR. The effectiveness of the proposed tuning method is compared to an exiting offline tuning method and showed superior performance.     

Multi-objective performance optimisation for model predictive control by goal attainment

This article proposes an approach for performance tuning of model predictive control (MPC) using goal-attainment optimisation of the cost function weighting matrices. The approach is developed for three formulations of the control problem: (i) minimal and (ii) non-minimal design based on the same cost function and (iii) a non-minimal MPC approach with an explicit integral-of-error state variable and modified cost function. This approach is based on earlier research into multi-objective optimisation for proportional-integral-plus control systems. Simulation experiments for a 3-input, 3-output Shell heavy oil fractionator model illustrate the feasibility of MPC goal attainment for multivariable decoupling and attainment of a specific output response. For this example, the integral-of-error state variable offers improved design flexibility and hence, when it is combined with the proposed tuning method, yields an improved closed-loop response in comparison to minimal MPC.     

Integrated predictive iterative learning control based on updating reference trajectory for point-to-point tracking

A novel control technique is proposed by combining iterative learning control (ILC) and model predictive control (MPC) with updating-reference trajectory for point-to-point tracking problem of batch process. In this paper, a batch-to-batch updating-reference trajectory, which passes through the desired points, is firstly designed as the tracking trajectory within a batch. The updating control law consists of P-type ILC part and MPC part, in which P-type ILC part can improve the performance by learning from previous executions and MPC part is used to suppress the model perturbations and external disturbances. Convergence properties of the integrated predictive iterative learning control (IPILC) are analyzed theoretically, and the sufficient convergence conditions of output tracking error are also derived for a class of linear systems. Comparing with other point-to-point tracking control algorithms, the proposed algorithm can perform better in robustness. Furthermore, updating-reference relaxes the constraints for system outputs, and it may lead to faster convergence and more extensive range of application than those of fixed-reference control algorithms. Simulation results on typical systems show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.     

Weight optimisation for iterative distributed model predictive control applied to power networks

This paper presents a weight tuning technique for iterative distributed Model Predictive Control (MPC). Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) is used to optimise both the weights associated with disturbance rejection and those associated with achieving consensus between control agents. Unlike centralised MPC, where tuning focuses solely on disturbance rejection performance, iterative distributed MPC practitioners must concern themselves with the trade off between disturbance rejection and the overall communication overhead when tuning weights. This is particularly the case in large scale systems, such as power networks, where typically there will be a large communication overhead associated with control. In this paper a method for simultaneously optimising both the closed loop performance and minimising the communications overhead of iterative distributed MPC systems is proposed. Simulation experiments illustrate the potential of the proposed approach in two different power system scenarios.     

Constrained model predictive force control of an electrohydraulic actuator

An analytical MPC controller was designed for force control of a single-rod electrohydraulic actuator. The controller based on a difference equation uses short control horizon. The constraints on both input and output variables are taken into consideration by the controller. The mechanism of output constraints satisfaction uses output prediction and makes possible to constrain the output values many sampling instants ahead. Thus, it extends capabilities of the analytical MPC controllers to the field reserved so far for much more computationally expensive numerical MPC algorithms. Results of real life experiments illustrate efficiency of the proposed controller. The results also show that the MPC controller has better tracking performance than conventional P and PI controllers. The MPC controller with the constraint handling mechanisms, though relatively simple, offers very good performance. As the design process is detailed, it is possible to relatively easy adapt the proposed approach to other control plants.     

基于虚拟参考反馈整定的改进无模型自适应控制

针对一类离散时间非线性系统, 提出一种基于虚拟参考反馈整定的改进无模型自适应控制方案. 首先, 利用动态线性化方法给出非线性系统的紧格式动态线性化模型; 然后, 基于优化技术设计控制算法和伪偏导数估计算法; 最后, 设计基于虚拟参考反馈整定的伪偏导数初值和重置值的估计算法. 该控制方案设计仅依赖于被控系统的输入和输出数据, 且能保证闭环系统的稳定性和收敛性. 仿真比较结果验证了所提出方法的有效性.

     

A new robust model predictive control method I: theory and computation

The success of the single-model MPC (SMPC) controller depends on the accuracy of the process model. Modeling errors cause sub-optimal control performance and may cause the control system to become closed-loop unstable. The goal of this paper is to examine the control performance of the robust MPC (RMPC) method proposed by Wang and Rawlings [34] on several illustrative examples. In this paper, we show the RMPC method successfully controls systems with time-varying uncertainties in the process gain, time constant and time delay and achieves offset-free non-zero set point tracking and non-zero disturbance rejection subject to input and output constraints.     

多变量分数阶滞后系统预测控制参数解析调优

提出了一种针对各子系统由一阶加分数阶滞后模型描述的多变量系统模型预测控制参数解析调优方法.首先推导了多变量分数阶滞后系统的状态空间模型;其次,基于该模型构建模型预测控制优化问题,并获得了控制信号的解析表达式;再次,对闭环控制系统进行解耦分析,揭示了模型预测控制器参数与系统闭环性能间的定量关系,通过将参数调优问题转化为极点配置问题,得到能够保证闭环系统性能的模型预测控制器参数取值的解析表达式;最后通过仿真实验验证了本文所设计的参数解析调优算法的有效性.     

一种面向输入输出故障的变结构模型预测控制方法

针对输入执行机构故障及输出测量装置故障往往导致MPC（model predictive control）控制器无法实现控制目标的问题,通过对输入稳态与输出稳态关系的分析,提出将存在故障的输入或者输出从控制器的操作变量和被控输出中去除、改变控制器结构的变结构预测控制方法．由于输入故障变结构控制减少了控制器操作变量自由度导致输出稳态误差很大,故根据输出变量优先级重新计算输出设定点以保障重要输出优先满足控制要求．输出故障变结构控制采用结合输入变量稳态值目标跟踪的DMC（dynamic matrix control）算法,避免了输出传感器故障对系统的影响并且保障了被控输出的控制目标可达．利用Shell benchmark重油分馏塔模型仿真验证了本方法的有效性.     

Predictive metamorphic control

In spite of its easy implementation, ability to handle constraints and nonlinearities, etc., model predictive control (MPC) does have drawbacks including tuning difficulties. In this paper, we propose a refinement to the basic MPC strategy by incorporating a tuning parameter such that one can move smoothly from an existing controller to a new MPC strategy. Each change of this tuning parameter leads to a new stabilising control law, therefore, allowing one to gradually move from an existing control law to a new and better one. For the infinite horizon case without constraints and for the general case with state and input constraints, stability results are established. We also examine the practical applicability of the proposed approach by employing it in the nominal prediction model of the tube-based output feedback robust MPC method. The merits of the proposed method are illustrated by examples.     

Multi‐parametric extremum seeking‐based iterative feedback gains tuning for nonlinear control

We study in this paper the problem of iterative feedback gains auto‐tuning for a class of nonlinear systems. For the class of input–output linearizable nonlinear systems with bounded additive uncertainties, we first design a nominal input–output linearization‐based robust controller that ensures global uniform boundedness of the output tracking error dynamics. Then, we complement the robust controller with a model‐free multi‐parametric extremum seeking control to iteratively auto‐tune the feedback gains. We analyze the stability of the whole controller, that is, the robust nonlinear controller combined with the multi‐parametric extremum seeking model‐free learning algorithm. We use numerical tests to demonstrate the performance of this method on a mechatronics example. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Novel MPC‐Based Fault Tolerant Tracking Control Against Sensor Faults

The problem of active fault‐tolerant tracking control with control input and system output constraints is studied for a class of discrete‐time systems subject to sensor faults. A time‐varying fault‐tolerant observer is first developed to estimate the real system state from the faulty sensor output and control input signals. Then by using the estimated state at each time step, a model predictive control (MPC)‐based fault‐tolerant tracking control scheme is presented to guarantee the desired tracking performance and the given input and output constraints on the faulty system. In comparison with many existing fault‐tolerant MPC methods, its main contribution is that the proposed state estimator is designed by the simple and online numerical computation to tolerate the possible sensor faults, so that the regular MPC algorithm without fault information can be adopted for the online calculation of fault‐tolerant control signal. The potential recursive infeasibility and computational complexity due to the faults are avoided in the scheme. Additionally, the closed‐loop stability of the post‐fault system is discussed. Simulative results of an electric throttle control system verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Direct adaptive neural network controller for a class of nonlinear systems based on fuzzy estimator of the control error

A new approach of direct adaptive control of single input single output nonlinear systems in affine form using single-hidden layer neural network (NN) is introduced. In contrast to the algorithms in the literature, the weights adaptation laws are based on the control error and not on the tracking error or its filtered version. Since the control error is being expressed in terms of the NN controller, hence its weights updating laws are obtained via back-propagation concept. A fuzzy inference system (FIS) with heuristically defined rules is introduced to provide an estimate of this error based on the past history of the system behaviour. The stability of the closed loop is studied using Lyapunov theory. A fixed structure is then proposed for the FIS and the design parameters reduce to the parameters of the NN. The method is reproducible and does not require any pre-training of the network weights.     

An improved structure for model predictive control using non-minimal state space realisation

This paper describes a new method for the design of model predictive control (MPC) using non-minimal state space models, in which the state variables are chosen as the set of measured input and output variables and their past values. It shows that the proposed design approach avoids the use of an observer to access the state information and, as a result, the disturbance rejection, particularly the system input disturbance rejection, is significantly improved when constraints become activated. In addition, when there is no model/plant mismatch, the paper shows that the system output constraints can be realised in the proposed approach. Furthermore, closed-form transfer function representation of the model predictive control system enables the application of frequency response analysis tools to the nominal performance of the system.     

Model Predictive Control oriented experiment design for system identification: A graph theoretical approach

We present a new approach to Model Predictive Control (MPC) oriented experiment design for the identification of systems operating in closed-loop. The method considers the design of an experiment by minimizing the experimental cost, subject to probabilistic bounds on the input and output signals due to physical limitations of actuators, and quality constraints on the identified model. The excitation is done by intentionally adding a disturbance to the loop. We then design the external excitation to achieve the minimum experimental effort while we are also taking care of the tracking performance of MPC. The stability of the closed-loop system is guaranteed by employing robust MPC during the experiment. The problem is then defined as an optimization problem. However, the aforementioned constraints result in a non-convex optimization which is relaxed by using results from graph theory. The proposed technique is evaluated through a numerical example showing that it is an attractive alternative for closed-loop experiment design.     

Constrained discrete-time PI controller design for output PDFs of stochastic systems with time delays

This article presents a new proportional-integral (PI) tracking control strategy for non-Gaussian stochastic systems based on a square root B-spline model for the output probability density functions (PDFs). Following the square root B-spline approximation to the measured output PDF, a non-linear discrete-time dynamical model can be established between the control input and the weights related to the PDFs. It is noted that the PDF tracking is transformed to a constrained dynamical tracking control problem for weight dynamics. For the non-linear discrete-time weight model including time-delay terms and exogenous disturbances, convex linear matrix inequality optimisation algorithms are used to design a generalised PI controller such that stabilisation, state constraint and tracking performance can be guaranteed simultaneously. Furthermore, in order to enhance the robustness, the peak-to-peak measure index is applied to optimise the tracking performance. Simulations are given to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach.     

Steering control for underwater gliders

Steering control for an autonomous underwater glider (AUG) is very challenging due to its changing dynamic characteristics such as payload and shape. A good choice to solve this problem is online system identification via in-field trials to capture current dynamic characteristics for control law reconfiguration. Hence, an online polynomial estimator is designed to update the yaw dynamic model of the AUG, and an adaptive model predictive control (MPC) controller is used to calculate the optimal control command based on updated estimated parameters. The MPC controller uses a quadratic program (QP) to compute the optimal control command based on a user-defined cost function. The cost function has two terms, focusing on output reference tracking and move suppression of input, respectively. Move-suppression performance can, at some level, represent energy-saving performance of the MPC controller. Users can balance these two competitive control performances by tuning weights. We have compared the control performance using the second-order polynomial model to that using the fifth-order polynomial model, and found that the former cannot capture the main characteristics of yaw dynamics and may result in vibration during the flight. Both processor-in-loop (PIL) simulations and in-lake tests are presented to validate our steering control performance.     

Sensitivity compensating nonlinear control: Exact model based approach

A novel sensitivity compensating nonlinear control (SCNC) approach is proposed within generic model control (GMC) framework for processes exhibiting input sensitivity. The proposed approach consists of defining a new process, control law and set point such that the determined control action drives the original process to its desired set point. External reset feedback (ERF), used to compensate for input saturation, is extended to higher relative degree systems as extended ERF (EERF), and is incorporated in the context of SCNC approach. The proposed control algorithms are evaluated by application to an open-loop unstable CSTR control problem and a multi-product semi-batch polymerization reactor temperature control problem. The present study illustrates the versatility of the proposed SCGMC schemes compared to the basic GMC schemes in terms of output tracking and smoother input profiles. SCNC can be extended to other nonlinear model based controllers where the control law can be expressed analytically.     

ILC strategy for progress improvement of economic performance in industrial model predictive control systems

A novel approach to progress improvement of the economic performance in model predictive control (MPC) systems is developed. The conventional LQG based economic performance design provides an estimation which cannot be done by the controller while the proposed approach can develop the design performance achievable by the controller. Its optimal performance is achieved by solving economic performance design (EPD) problem and optimizing the MPC performance iteratively in contrast to the original EPD which has nonlinear LQG curve relationship. Based on the current operating data from MPC, EPD is transformed into a linear programming problem. With the iterative learning control (ILC) strategy, EPD is solved at each trial to update the tuning parameter and the designed condition; then MPC is conducted in the condition guided by EPD. The ILC strategy is proposed to adjust the tuning parameter based on the sensitivity analysis. The convergence of EPD by the proposed ILC has also been proved. The strategy can be applied to industry processes to keep enhancing the performance and to obtain the achievable optimal EPD. The performance of the proposed method is illustrated via an SISO numerical system as well as an MIMO industry process.     

Neural Network Adaptive Robust Control Of Siso Nonlinear Systems In A Normal Form

In this paper, performance oriented control laws are synthesized for a class of single‐input‐single‐output (SISO) n‐th order nonlinear systems in a normal form by integrating the neural networks (NNs) techniques and the adaptive robust control (ARC) design philosophy. All unknown but repeat‐able nonlinear functions in the system are approximated by the outputs of NNs to achieve a better model compensation for an improved performance. While all NN weights are tuned on‐line, discontinuous projections with fictitious bounds are used in the tuning law to achieve a controlled learning. Robust control terms are then constructed to attenuate model uncertainties for a guaranteed output tracking transient performance and a guaranteed final tracking accuracy. Furthermore, if the unknown nonlinear functions are in the functional ranges of the NNs and the ideal NN weights fall within the fictitious bounds, asymptotic output tracking is achieved to retain the perfect learning capability of NNs. The precision motion control of a linear motor drive system is used as a case study to illustrate the proposed NNARC strategy.