Robust absolute stability analysis for interval nonlinear active disturbance rejection based control system

Active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) is a relatively new, quite different but very practical control technology, which shows much promise in replacement of proportion-integration-differentiation (PID) with unmistakable advantage in performance and practicality. This paper mainly concerns with the robust absolute stability of the ADRC based control system with parameter perturbations of the plant, i.e., ADRC based interval control system. Firstly, the system is transformed into a perturbed indirect Lurie system. Then, the Popov criterion and its robust version are presented and some new methods are developed to analyze the (robust) absolute stability for the interval control system. Furthermore, an example is presented to illustrate (robust) absolute stability analysis via the above methods, which verifies the convenience and practicability of these methods and shows the strong stability robustness of ADRC in the presence of parametric uncertainties.     

Robust stability criterion for fractional-order systems with interval uncertain coefficients and a time-delay

This study investigates the robust stability of fractional-order systems with interval coefficients and a time-delay. By the Minkowski Sum, the vertices of value set with respect to the characteristic function of the investigated fractional-order system are offered, avoiding the calculations of the redundant vertices. Meanwhile, a function depending on the obtained vertices is defined to represent the position relationship between the origin and the value set. Based on the zero exclusion principle, we propose sufficient and necessary conditions to determine the robust stability of fractional-order systems with interval uncertain coefficients and a time-delay. Finally, illustrative examples are offered to verify the effectiveness of the proposed robust stability criterion.     

Robust stability analysis of fractional order interval polynomials

The paper deals with the robust stability analysis of a Fractional Order Interval Polynomial (FOIP) family. Some new results are presented for testing the Bounded Input Bounded Output (BIBO) stability of dynamical control systems whose characteristic polynomials are fractional order polynomials with interval uncertainty structure. It is shown that the Kharitonov theorem is not applicable for this type of polynomial. A procedure is given for computation of the value set of FOIP. Based on the value set, an algorithm is presented for testing the stability of FOIP. The results presented in the paper are useful for the analysis and design of Fractional Order Interval Control Systems (FOICS). Examples are given to show how the proposed method can be used to assess the effects of parametric variations on the stability in feedback loops with fractional order interval transfer functions.     

Robust PID tuning strategy for uncertain plants based on the Kharitonov theorem

In this paper, the Kharitonov theorem for interval plants is exploited for the purpose of synthesizing a stabilizing controller. The aim here is to develop a controller to simultaneously stabilize the four Kharitonov-defined vortex polynomials. Different from the prevailing works, the controller is designed systematically and graphically through the search of a non-conservative Kharitonov region in the controller coefficient parameter plane. The region characterizes all stabilizing PID controllers that stabilize an uncertain plant. Thus the relationship between the Kharitonov region and the stabilizing controller parameters is manifest. Extensively, to further guarantee the system with certain robust safety margins, a virtual gain phase margin tester compensator is added. Stability analysis is carried out. The control system is proved to maintain robustness at least to the pre-specified margins. The synthesized controller with coefficients selected from the obtained non-conservative Kharitonov region can stabilize the concerned uncertain plants and fulfill system specifications in terms of gain margins and phase margins.     

Robust regenerative chatter stability in machine tools

The expeditious nature of manufacturing markets inspires advancements in the effectiveness, efficiency and precision of machining processes. Often, an unstable machining phenomenon, called regenerative chatter, limits the productivity and accuracies in machining operations. Since the 1950s, a substantial amount of research has been conducted on the prevention of chatter vibration in machining operations. In order to prevent regenerative chatter vibrations, the dynamics between the machine tool and workpiece are critical. Conventional regenerative chatter theories have been established based on the assumption that the system parameters in machining are constant. However, the dynamics and system parameters change due to high spindle speeds, tool geometries, orientation of the tool with respect to the rest of the machine, tool wear and non-uniform workpiece material properties. This paper provides a novel method, based on the robust stability theorem, to predict chatter-free regions for machining processes, by taking in account the unknown uncertainties and changing dynamics for machining. The effects of time-variant parameters on the stability are analyzed using the robust stability theorem. The experimental tests are performed to verify the stability of SDOF and MDOF milling systems. The uncertainties and changing dynamics are taken into account in order to accommodate the optimal selection of machining parameters, and the stability region is determined to achieve high productivity and accuracy through applications of the robust stability theorem.     

A comment on the “Robust stability analysis of fractional order interval polynomials”, by Nusret Tan et al.

It is shown that Theorem 3 in the article mentioned in the title is not true and some modification is suggested to eliminate the mistake.     

Robust stability bounds for nonclassically damped systems with multi-directional perturbations

This paper investigates the stability robustness of nonclassically damped systems with multidirectional perturbations. Bounds on uncertain parameters that maintain the stability of an asymptotically stable, linear multi-degree-of-freedom system with nonclassical damping are derived using specific Lyapunov functions. The explicit nature of the construction permits us to directly express the algebraic criteria in terms of physical parameters of the system. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the effect of the proposed approach.     

Author’s reply: A comment on the “Robust stability analysis of fractional order interval polynomials”, by Nusret Tan et al.

This author’s reply addresses the comment given in the note mentioned in the title. Theorem 3 given in Tan et al. (2009) [1] uses zero exclusion principle for the stability analysis of Fractional Order Interval Polynomial (FOIP). We show that the constant degree assumption is exist in the definition of zero exclusion principle. Although it has not been clearly stated in Tan et al. (2009) [1] that FOIP of Eq. (1) is a constant degree polynomial, this condition is implicit in the zero exclusion principle. Therefore, Theorem 3 is true under the constant degree assumption which is a requirement for zero exclusion principle.     

Robust tracking and distributed synchronization control of a multi-motor servomechanism with H-infinity performance

The multi-motor servomechanism (MMS) is a multi-variable, high coupling and nonlinear system, which makes the controller design challenging. In this paper, an adaptive robust H-infinity control scheme is proposed to achieve both the load tracking and multi-motor synchronization of MMS. This control scheme consists of two parts: a robust tracking controller and a distributed synchronization controller. The robust tracking controller is constructed by incorporating a neural network (NN) K-filter observer into the dynamic surface control, while the distributed synchronization controller is designed by combining the mean deviation coupling control strategy with the distributed technique. The proposed control scheme has several merits: 1) by using the mean deviation coupling synchronization control strategy, the tracking controller and the synchronization controller can be designed individually without any coupling problem; 2) the immeasurable states and unknown nonlinearities are handled by a NN K-filter observer, where the number of NN weights is largely reduced by using the minimal learning parameter technique; 3) the H-infinity performances of tracking error and synchronization error are guaranteed by introducing a robust term into the tracking controller and the synchronization controller, respectively. The stabilities of the tracking and synchronization control systems are analyzed by the Lyapunov theory. Simulation and experimental results based on a four-motor servomechanism are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Robust absolute stability criteria for uncertain Lurie interval time-varying delay systems of neutral type

This study investigates the delay-dependent robust absolute stability analysis for uncertain Lurie systems with interval time-varying delays of neutral type. First, we divide the whole delay interval into two segmentations with an unequal width and checking the variation of the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional (LKF) for each subinterval of delay, much less conservative delay-dependent absolute and robust stability criteria are derived. Second, a new delay-dependent robust stability condition for uncertain Lurie neutral systems with interval time-varying delays, which expressed in terms of quadratic forms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), and has been derived by constructing the LKF from the delayed decomposition approach (DDA) and integral inequality approach (IIA). Finally, three numerical examples are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed stability criteria.     

Robust stability and stabilization of fractional order linear systems with positive real uncertainty

This paper investigates the robust stability and stabilization of fractional order linear systems with positive real uncertainty. Firstly, sufficient conditions for the asymptotical stability of such uncertain fractional order systems are presented. Secondly, the existence conditions and design methods of the state feedback controller, static output feedback controller and observer-based controller for asymptotically stabilizing such uncertain fractional order systems are derived. The results are obtained in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, some numerical examples are given to validate the proposed theoretical results.     

Robust and nominal stability conditions for a simplified model predictive controller

A new condition is derived that guarantees robust stability for a set of stable, linear time-invariant plants controlled by using a simplified model predictive control algorithm (SMPC). Discrete single-input-single-output control systems are considered in this paper. Uncertainty is treated in the time domain by considering the stabilization of a set of pulse response functions. The method presented is suitable for stabilizing a set of plants that are not necessarily related. Central to this method is a bounding function, which is a function of the model and controller parameters. The bounding function is designed to have a larger magnitude than all of the pulse response functions in the set of plants to be stabilized. Using this method, it was found that the bounding function is monotonically decreasing when a first-order plus dead-time model is used to design the controller. This allows the coincidence point used in SMPC to be employed directly as a tuning "knob" for robustness, and also simplifies the analysis for dead-time uncertainty. In addition, a comparison of two nominal stability conditions is provided.     

Signal-to-noise ratio constrained feedback control: Robust stability analysis

The explicit consideration of a communication channel model in a feedback control loop is known to be constrained by a fundamental limitation for stabilizability on the channel signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) when the linear time invariant (LTI) plant model is unstable. The LTI modelling approach for real, usually nonlinear, processes compromises accuracy versus complexity of the resulting model. This in turn introduces a gap between the proposed model and the real process, which is known as the model uncertainty. In this paper we then study SNR limitations by considering the continuous-time scenario and the case of an additive coloured Gaussian noise (ACGN) channel with bandwidth limitation, for which we then quantify the infimal SNR subject to the simultaneous presence of plant, channel and noise model uncertainties. We observe, for the special case of memoryless additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channels, that the obtained SNR limitation subject to plant model uncertainty can be redefined as a channel capacity limitation for stabilization.     

Robust model predictive control design with input constraints

The paper addresses the problem of designing a robust output/state model predictive control for linear polytopic systems with input constraints. The new predictive and control horizon model is derived as a linear polytopic system. Lyapunov function approach guarantees the quadratic stability and guaranteed cost for closed-loop system. The invariant set and an algorithm approach similar to Soft Variable-Structure Control (SVSC), ensures input constraints for the model predictive plant control system. In the proposed control scheme, the required on-line computation load is significantly less than in MPC literature, which opens the possibility to use these control design schemes not only for plants with slow dynamics, but also for faster ones.     

平面二自由度并联机构的PD型鲁棒控制

运用拉格朗日 -达朗伯原理分析了平面二自由度并联机构的动力学特性 ,并由此推广到对一般空间并联机构的动力学建模。针对并联机构的轨迹跟踪问题提出一种 PD型鲁棒控制算法 ,使系统即使存在参数不确定或摩擦力矩等干扰作用情况下 ,仍可以保持跟踪的稳定性。分析了控制参数与跟踪误差之间的关系     

Uncertainty modeling and predicting the probability of stability and performance in the manufacture of dynamic systems

In this work, a method for determining the reliability of dynamic systems is discussed. Using statistical information on system parameters, the goal is to determine the probability of a dynamic system achieving or not achieving frequency domain performance specifications such as low frequency tracking error, and bandwidth. An example system is considered with closed loop control. A performance specification is given and converted into a performance weight transfer function. The example system is found to have a 20% chance of not achieving the given performance specification. An example of a realistic higher order system model of an electro hydraulic valve with spring feedback and position measurement feedback is also considered. The spring rate and viscous friction are considered as random variables with normal distributions. It was found that nearly 6% of valve systems would not achieve the given frequency domain performance requirement. Uncertainty modeling is also considered. An uncertainty model for the hydraulic valve systems is presented with the same uncertain parameters as in the previous example. However, the uncertainty model was designed such that only 95% of plants would be covered by the uncertainty model. This uncertainty model was applied to the valve control system example in a robust performance test.     

一种新的鲁棒串级控制系统及其应用

针对常规串级控制系统难于消除主副回路间相互影响的缺点,本文提出了一种鲁棒串级控制系统,并基于继电反馈自整定技术提出了这种串级控制系统的设计方法。在某电厂３００ＭＷ机组实际应用的结果表明,采用该方法设计的串级控制系统与常规方法的系统相比较具有更强性和良好的动、静态性能。     

A novel predictive control algorithm and robust stability criteria for integrating processes

This paper introduces a novel predictive controller for single-input/single-output (SISO) integrating systems, which can be directly applied without pre-stabilizing the process. The control algorithm is designed on the basis of the tested step response model. To produce a bounded system response along the finite predictive horizon, the effect of the integrating mode must be zeroed while unmeasured disturbances exist. Here, a novel predictive feedback error compensation method is proposed to eliminate the permanent offset between the setpoint and the process output while the integrating system is affected by load disturbance. Also, a rotator factor is introduced in the performance index, which is contributed to the improvement robustness of the closed-loop system. Then on the basis of Jury’s dominant coefficient criterion, a robust stability condition of the resulted closed loop system is given. There are only two parameters which need to be tuned for the controller, and each has a clear physical meaning, which is convenient for implementation of the control algorithm. Lastly, simulations are given to illustrate that the proposed algorithm can provide excellent closed loop performance compared with some reported methods.     

Robust fault detection for nonlinear networked systems with stochastic interval delay characteristics

In this paper, the problem of observer-based robust fault detection (RFD) for nonlinear networked systems with stochastic interval delay is investigated. By employing the information of probabilistic distribution of networked-induced time-varying delay, the observer-based fault detection filter as residual generator and a proposed performance index as objective function, the RFD of nonlinear networked systems is formulated as an optimization problem. The desired fault detection filter is constructed in terms of certain linear matrix inequalities, which depend on not only delay-interval but also delay-interval-occurrence-rate. Especially, the sub-optimal trade-off of strong robustness from residual signal to disturbance and parameter uncertainty, as well as high sensitivity to fault is obtained by a repeated application of a two-objective optimization algorithm. Numerical simulations are given to illustrate the effectiveness of proposed techniques.