Finite-time tracking control for multiple non-holonomic mobile robots based on visual servoing

This paper investigates finite-time tracking control problem of multiple non-holonomic mobile robots via visual servoing. It is assumed that the pinhole camera is fixed to the ceiling, and camera parameters are unknown. The desired reference trajectory is represented by a virtual leader whose states are available to only a subset of the followers, and the followers have only interaction. First, the camera-objective visual kinematic model is introduced by utilising the pinhole camera model for each mobile robot. Second, a unified tracking error system between camera-objective visual servoing model and desired reference trajectory is introduced. Third, based on the neighbour rule and by using finite-time control method, continuous distributed cooperative finite-time tracking control laws are designed for each mobile robot with unknown camera parameters, where the communication topology among the multiple mobile robots is assumed to be a directed graph. Rigorous proof shows that the group of mobile robots converges to the desired reference trajectory in finite time. Simulation example illustrates the effectiveness of our method.     

Decentralised consensus-based formation tracking of multiple differential drive robots

This article investigates the control problem for formation tracking of multiple nonholonomic robots under distributed manner which means each robot only needs local information exchange. A class of general state and input transform is introduced to convert the formation-tracking issue of multi-robot systems into the consensus-like problem with time-varying reference. The distributed observer-based protocol with nonlinear dynamics is developed for each robot to achieve the consensus tracking of the new system, which namely means a group of nonholonomic mobile robots can form the desired formation configuration with its centroid moving along the predefined reference trajectory. The finite-time stability of observer and control law is analysed rigorously by using the Lyapunov direct method, algebraic graph theory and matrix analysis. Numerical examples are finally provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the theory results proposed in this paper.     

Finite-time stability of cascaded time-varying systems

The uniform global finite-time stability is discussed for a cascaded time-varying system consisting of two uniformly finite-time stable subsystems. It is shown that a forward completeness condition is enough to ensure the uniform global finite-time stability of the system. For ease of reference, a particular result with a growth rate condition is also deduced. These stability results are applied to the tracking control problem of a non-holonomic wheeled mobile robot in kinematic model. Two tracking control laws are developed respectively for two different cases of the desired rotate velocity. Both control laws are continuous and can control the mobile robot to track the desired trajectory in finite time. Simulation results are provided to show the effectiveness of the method.     

Finite‐time formation control of multiple nonholonomic mobile robots

This paper considers finite‐time formation control problem for a group of nonholonomic mobile robots. The desired formation trajectory is represented by a virtual dynamic leader whose states are available to only a subset of the followers and the followers have only local interaction. First of all, a continuous distributed finite‐time observer is proposed for each follower to estimate the leader's states in a finite time. Then, a continuous distributed cooperative finite‐time tracking control law is designed for each mobile robot. Rigorous proof shows that the group of mobile robots converge to the desired geometric formation pattern in finite time. At the same time, all the robots can track the desired formation trajectory in finite time. Simulation example illustrates the effectiveness of our method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Robust finite-time tracking control of nonholonomic mobile robots without velocity measurements

The problem of robust finite-time trajectory tracking of nonholonomic mobile robots with unmeasurable velocities is studied. The contributions of the paper are that: first, in the case that the angular velocity of the mobile robot is unmeasurable, a composite controller including the observer-based partial state feedback control and the disturbance feed-forward compensation is designed, which guarantees that the tracking errors converge to zero in finite time. Second, if the linear velocity as well as the angular velocity of mobile robot is unmeasurable, with a stronger constraint, the finite-time trajectory tracking control of nonholonomic mobile robot is also addressed. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control laws is demonstrated by simulation.     

Distributed adaptive control for consensus tracking with application to formation control of nonholonomic mobile robots

In this paper, we investigate the output consensus problem of tracking a desired trajectory for a class of systems consisting of multiple nonlinear subsystems with intrinsic mismatched unknown parameters. The subsystems are allowed to have non-identical dynamics, whereas with similar structures and the same yet arbitrary system order. And the communication status among the subsystems can be represented by a directed graph. Different from the traditional centralized tracking control problem, only a subset of the subsystems can obtain the desired trajectory information directly. A distributed adaptive control approach based on backstepping technique is proposed. By introducing the estimates to account for the parametric uncertainties of the desired trajectory and its neighbors’ dynamics into the local controller of each subsystem, information exchanges of online parameter estimates and local synchronization errors among linked subsystems can be avoided. It is proved that the boundedness of all closed-loop signals and the asymptotically consensus tracking for all the subsystems’ outputs are ensured. A numerical example is illustrated to show the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme. Moreover, the design strategy is successfully applied to solve a formation control problem for multiple nonholonomic mobile robots.     

Homogeneous finite-time consensus tracking of high-order-integrator agents by parametric approach

Finite-time consensus tracking of high-order-integrator multi-agent systems (MAS) is investigated under an undirected topology. When the leader's control input is known to all followers, the homogeneous finite-time control for a high-order integrator is extended to a distributed protocol for the corresponding MAS, and a set of control gains are found by the parametric approach for robust control, such that the multiple agents are simultaneously stabilised in finite time by keeping all characteristic polynomials Hurwitz. When it is only known to the leader's neighbouring followers, a distributed observer is presented for each follower to estimate it in finite time, and the combined observer-based protocol achieves finite-time consensus tracking in a fully distributed fashion. Simulation examples illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.     

非完整移动机器人的有限时间跟踪控制算法研究

对非完整移动机器人的有限时间轨迹跟踪控制问题进行讨论．与基于非连续状态反馈的传统有限时间控制算法相比，基于连续状态反馈的有限时间控制算法更适合于控制工程应用．利用该连续系统有限时间控制技术，设计一种连续的状态反馈跟踪控制算法．使得对角速度为非零常数的期望轨迹，非完整移动机器人能够实现全局跟踪，并能在有限时间内完全跟踪上期望轨迹．仿真结果表明了该方法的有效性．     

考虑运动受限的履带式移动机器人轨迹跟踪控制

针对履带式移动机器人的轨迹跟踪控制问题进行研究,首先,建立了履带式移动机器人的运动学模型和跟踪误差模型;其次,设计了转速有限时间控制和线速度滑模控制的轨迹跟踪控制律,并给出了考虑运动受限作用下的控制律修正表达式;最后,基于MATLAB对所提控制律进行仿真,对比分析了不考虑运动受限情况下跟踪控制效果;结果表明,设计的跟踪控制律能够实现履带式移动机器人对圆轨迹的有效跟踪,且考虑运动受限作用的控制律更加符合实际;文章研究分析了运动受限作用对于移动机器人轨迹跟踪控制的影响,分析结果对其他移动机器人的运动控制研究具有参考价值。     

Finite-Time Distributed Identification for Nonlinear Interconnected Systems

In this paper, a novel finite-time distributed identification method is introduced for nonlinear interconnected systems. A distributed concurrent learning-based discontinuous gradient descent update law is presented to learn uncertain interconnected subsystems’ dynamics. The concurrent learning approach continually minimizes the identification error for a batch of previously recorded data collected from each subsystem as well as its neighboring subsystems. The state information of neighboring in...     

Command filter-based finite-time adaptive tracking control for MIMO dynamic systems with external disturbances and prescribed performance constraints

This paper investigates command filter-based finite-time stability of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) dynamic systems with prescribed performance constraints and external disturbances. A novel finite-time differentiator is introduced into command filter-based control scheme, which improves transient performance of each subsystem. Meanwhile, disturbance observers are utilized to eliminate negative effects on control system caused by external disturbances. Furthermore, featured with a selected performance function, it can be guaranteed that tracking errors remain in prescribed performance region. Stability analysis of the proposed controller is presented by using a Lyapunov function including transformed filter errors, parameter errors of neural networks, and observed errors of lumped disturbances. Effectiveness of proposed control method is verified by a numerical example and a practical system of inverted pendulums, respectively.     

时滞的非完整动力学系统滑模抗干扰跟踪控制

针对具有外部扰动和时滞的非完整轮式移动机器人系统,本文阐述了一种基于非线性扰动观测器的时滞滑模控制方法.首先,利用扰动观测器估计系统的外部扰动;然后,用极坐标转化移动机器人的姿态,并用计算转矩法对机器人的动力学方程进行反馈线性化.设计带时滞控制的滑模,目的是使移动机器人渐近稳定在期望轨迹上,并有效地减小控制增益的过高估计.最后,利用李雅普诺夫函数建立闭环系统的稳定性.仿真结果表明,该方案具有良好的跟踪精度和鲁棒性.     

Finite-time attitude tracking control for a rigid spacecraft using time-varying terminal sliding mode techniques

This paper investigates the finite-time attitude tracking control for a rigid spacecraft in the presence of inertia uncertainties and external disturbances. Two novel time-varying terminal sliding mode control algorithms are derived for attitude tracking control system. The proposed two control algorithms not only eliminate the reaching phase of the conventional sliding mode control but also guarantee the tracking errors converge to zero in finite time. Moreover, the singularity problem can be avoided. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design methods.     

初始误差修正的多智能体一致性迭代学习控制

研究了重复运行的分布式多智能体系统在有限时间内的一致性问题。针对具有固定拓扑结构的多智能体系统,在期望轨迹对应的初始状态未知,且系统存在干扰的情况下,引入虚拟领导者技术,提出了一种同时对各智能体的输入和初始状态误差进行迭代修正的分布式学习控制算法。收敛性分析表明,该算法能够消除由于各智能体初始状态和期望轨迹对应的初始状态不同而引起的各智能体输出不能完全跟踪期望轨迹的状况,实现系统在有限时间内的完全跟踪;仿真结果也证明了算法的有效性。     

Decentralized adaptive control of robot manipulators

A decentralized adaptive control scheme is proposed for the trajectory tracking of a general n-degree-of-freedom robot manipulator. The robot is considered as a set of decoupled second-order systems with disturbances. The controller consists of feedforward from the desired trajectory based on the “inverse system” of the model, PID feedback from the actual trajectory, and auxiliary input for the compensation of the neglected terms in modeling in each subsystem. The gain is derived in diagonal matrix form, and is adjusted by the model reference adaptive control theory based on the Lyapunov's direct method. The result is high accuracy in path tracking despite the high speed, load change, and sudden torque disturbances. Numerical simulations on.a planar two-link robot manipulator are presented to show the performance under various practical considerations.     

基于T-S模型的轮式移动机器人轨迹跟踪控制

针对带有执行机构饱和约束与外部干扰的轮式移动机器人,提出了一种基于T-S模糊模型的轨迹跟踪方法.利用机器人运动特性和参考轨迹建立轨迹跟踪的误差系统并将其作T-S模型描述.通过求解具有LMI约束的半定规划问题,对每个线性子系统单独设计满足控制约束与H∞性能约束的状态反馈控制器,并在PDC(动态平行分配补偿)设计框架下构建全局控制器,最后证明闭环系统的李雅普诺夫稳定性.仿真结果验证了该方法的有效性和可行性.     

Global stabilisation of a class of generalised cascaded systems by homogeneous method

This paper considers the problem of global stabilisation of a class of generalised cascaded systems. By using the extended adding a power integrator technique, a global controller is first constructed for the driving subsystem. Then based on the homogeneous properties and polynomial assumption, it is shown that the stabilisation of the driving subsystem implies the stabilisation of the overall cascaded system. Meanwhile, by properly choosing some control parameters, the global finite-time stability of the closed-loop cascaded system is also established. The proposed control method has several new features. First, the nonlinear cascaded systems considered in the paper are more general than the conventional ones, since the powers in the nominal part of the driving subsystem are not required to be restricted to ratios of positive odd numbers. Second, the proposed method has some flexible parameters which provide the possibility for designing continuously differentiable controllers for cascaded systems, while the existing designed controllers for such kind of cascaded systems are only continuous. Third, the homogenous and polynomial conditions adopted for the driven subsystem are easier to verify when compared with the matching conditions that are widely used previously. Furthermore, the efficiency of the proposed control method is validated by its application to finite-time tracking control of non-holonomic wheeled mobile robot.     

基于模糊不确定观测器的四旋翼飞行器自适应动态面轨迹跟踪控制

针对具有未知外界扰动和系统不确定性的四旋翼飞行器,提出了一种基于模糊不确定观测器（Fuzzy uncertainty observer,FUO）的自适应动态面轨迹跟踪控制方法.通过将四旋翼飞行器系统分解为位置、姿态角和角速率三个动态子系统,使得各子系统虚拟控制器能够充分考虑欠驱动约束;采用一阶低通滤波器重构虚拟控制信号及其一阶导数,实现四旋翼跟踪控制设计的迭代解耦;设计了一种模糊不确定观测器,用以估计和补偿未知外界扰动与系统不确定性,从而确保闭环系统的稳定性和跟踪误差与其他系统信号的一致有界性.仿真研究验证了所提出的控制方法的有效性和优越性.     

基于视觉图像的全向移动机器人轨迹跟踪控制研究

机器人轨迹节点跟踪比较难,导致机器人实际轨迹偏离期望轨迹,所以设计基于视觉图像的全向移动机器人轨迹跟踪控制方法;构建全向移动机器人的运动学数学模型,以此确定机器人移动轨迹数学模型;以移动轨迹数学模型为基础,按照视觉图像划分标准对全向移动机器人运动图像的分割,通过分离目标节点的方式提取运动学特征参量,完成机器人轨迹节点跟踪处理;结合节点跟踪处理结果,将运动学不等式与误差向量作为机器人轨迹跟踪控制的约束条件,利用滑模变结构搭建轨迹跟踪控制模型,实现全向移动机器人轨迹跟踪控制;对比实验结果表明,所设计的方法应用后,全向移动机器人角速度曲线、线速度曲线与期望运动轨迹曲线之间的贴合程度均超过90%,满足全向移动机器人轨迹跟踪控制要求。     

A new approach to robust position/force control of flexible-joint robot manipulators

In this paper a new approach employing smooth robust compensators is proposed for the control of uncertain elastic-joint robot manipulators during contact tasks. It is assumed that the flexible-joint manipulators consist of two subsystems: the rigid subsystem and the flexible subsystem. The output of the flexible subsystem is assumed to be the input of the rigid subsystem. The control design is carried out in two steps. First, a desired input is designed for the rigid subsystem, which can robustly stabilize it. Second, a robust controller is designed to stabilize the flexible subsystem so that it generates the necessary torque designed for the rigid subsystem. By using this approach, the robot manipulator can exert a preset amount of force on the environment while tracking a desired trajectory with global asymptotic stability. Lyapunov's direct method is used here to prove the global asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system. The assumption of weak joint elasticity is relaxed and exact knowledge of joint stiffness is not required for the control design. Also, exact knowledge of robot kinematic and dynamic parameters and actuator parameters are not required. Unlike other approaches, this approach takes the environmental stick-slip friction as well as its dependency on normal contact force into consideration. It compensates for the adverse effects of the stick-slip friction. The proposed controller produces a smooth control action, and ensures smooth motion on the contact surface. The efficacy of the proposed controller is illustrated with the help of a numerical example of a two-link flexible-joint robot. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.