Additive‐state‐decomposition‐based tracking control framework for a class of nonminimum phase systems with measurable nonlinearities and unknown disturbances

This paper aims to propose an additive‐state‐decomposition‐based tracking control framework, based on which the output feedback tracking problem is solved for a class of nonminimum phase systems with measurable nonlinearities and unknown disturbances. This framework is to ‘additively’ decompose the output feedback tracking problem into two more tractable problems, namely an output feedback tracking problem for a linear time invariant system and a state feedback stabilization problem for a nonlinear system. Then, one can design a controller for each problem respectively using existing methods, and these two designed controllers are combined together to achieve the original control goal. The main contribution of the paper lies on the introduction of an additive state decomposition scheme and its implementation to mitigate the design difficulty of the output feedback tracking control problem for nonminimum phase nonlinear systems. To demonstrate the effectiveness, an illustrative example is given. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

智能车辆路径跟踪控制方法

为了提高智能车辆路径跟踪控制器的可靠性和控制精度,提出一种基于误差动力学模型的路径跟踪控制方法.基于车辆运动学模型和动力学模型建立系统误差动力学模型,并在此基础上推导出车辆路径跟踪控制的稳态控制律,利用李雅普诺夫稳定性理论验证稳态控制律的正确性.为了减小外部干扰对控制性能的影响,提高控制器的可靠性,进一步设计基于车辆侧向位移误差的瞬态控制律,并利用李雅普诺夫稳定性理论验证闭环系统的稳定性.稳态控制律和瞬态控制律构成了非线性的路径跟踪控制器.通过与车辆路径跟踪常用的线性控制器和非线性控制器对比验证所提出控制方法的有效性,线性控制器选用LQR控制器,非线性控制器选用Stanley控制器.仿真结果表明,与LQR控制器相比,所提出控制方法的路径跟踪控制精度、抗干扰性和可靠性更好.与Stanley控制器相比,所提出控制方法具有更好的路径跟踪控制精度和控制收敛速度,且在大曲率路径跟踪过程中具有更好的可靠性.     

The ‘unreachable poles’ defect in LQR theory: analysis and remedy

In virtually every application of optimum linear-quadratic regulator (LQR) theory there exists a hidden region of ‘unreachable poles’ (in the left half-plane) which cannot be realized as optimum closed-loop poles. These regions of unreachable closed-loop poles are not visible using the solution procedures ordinarily employed in LQR applications and their lurking presence has (apparently) been overlooked by many professors, textbook writers and industrial users of LQR control theory for the past 25 years. The existence of these regions of unreachable poles represents a serious defect in the LQR method because those regions may (and often do!) contain closed-loop pole patterns which are considered highly desirable by classical control engineering standards, i.e. by ITAE and other classical standards of ‘ideal’ transient response. We first show how one can identify the regions of unreachable poles in an LQR problem. Then, it is shown how one can modify conventional LQR theory to overcome this defect and make all unreachable poles (in the left half-plane) become reachable. By this means, an explicit formula is derived for the LQR state-weighting matrix Q which will automatically produce ITAE or any other arbitrarily prescribed closed-loop pole patterns in the left half-plane.     

不确定时滞系统的全局鲁棒最优滑模控制

针对一类不确定性时滞系统, 研究线性二次型最优调节器的鲁棒性设计问题. 首先基于级数近似方法, 将原标称时滞系统的最优调节器问题转化为迭代求解一族不含时滞的两点边值问题, 从而获得标称时滞系统最优控制的近似解. 然后将滑模控制理论应用于最优调节器的设计, 使得系统对于不确定性具有全局的鲁棒性, 并且其理想滑动模态与标称系统的最优闭环控制系统相一致, 从而实现了全局鲁棒最优滑模控制. 仿真示例将所提出的方法与相应的二次型最优控制进行比较, 验证了该方法的有效性和优越性.     

A modified dynamic surface approach for control of nonlinear systems with unknown input dead zone

This paper focuses on the robust output precise tracking control problem of uncertain nonlinear systems in pure‐feedback form with unknown input dead zone. By designing an extended state observer, the states unmeasurable problem in traditional feedback control is solved, and the lumped uncertainty, which is caused by system unknown functions and input dead zone, is estimated. In order to apply separation principle, finite‐time extended state observer is designed to obtain system states and estimate the lumped uncertainty. Then, by introducing tracking differentiator, a modified dynamic surface control approach is developed to eliminate the ‘explosion of complexity’ problem and guarantee the tracking performance of system output. Because tracking differentiator is a fast precise signal filter, the closed‐loop control performance is significantly improved when it is used in dynamic surface control instead of first‐order filters. The L _∞ stability of the whole closed‐loop system, which guarantees both the transient and steady‐state performance, is shown by the Lyapunov method and initialization technique. Numerical and experiment examples are performed to illustrate our proposed control scheme with satisfactory results. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

H∞ output tracking control of uncertain and disturbed nonlinear systems based on neural network model

The work presented in this paper seeks to address the tracking problem for uncertain continuous nonlinear systems with external disturbances. The objective is to obtain a model that uses a reference-based output feedback tracking control law. The control scheme is based on neural networks and a linear difference inclusion (LDI) model, and a PDC structure and H_∞ performance criterion are used to attenuate external disturbances. The stability of the whole closed-loop model is investigated using the well-known quadratic Lyapunov function. The key principles of the proposed approach are as follows: neural networks are first used to approximate nonlinearities, to enable a nonlinear system to then be represented as a linearised LDI model. An LMI (linear matrix inequality) formula is obtained for uncertain and disturbed linear systems. This formula enables a solution to be obtained through an interior point optimisation method for some nonlinear output tracking control problems. Finally, simulations and comparisons are provided on two practical examples to illustrate the validity and effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Robust backstepping output tracking control for SISO uncertain nonlinear systems with unknown virtual control coefficients

The output tracking controller design problem is dealt with for a class of nonlinear strict-feedback form systems in the presence of nonlinear uncertainties, external disturbance, unmodelled dynamics and unknown time-varying virtual control coefficients. A new method based on signal compensation is proposed to design a linear time-invariant robust controller, which consists of a nominal controller and a robust compensator. It is shown that the closed-loop control system with a controller designed by the proposed method has robust asymptotical practical tracking property for any bounded initial conditions and robust tracking transient property if all initial states are zero.     

Robust adaptive output-feedback control for a class of nonlinear systems with general uncertainties

This paper investigates the robust adaptive output-feedback control for a class of nonlinear systems with general uncertainties and unknown parameters. First, a stable state observer is constructed and the system state is observed, and then the adaptive output-feedback controller is constructively designed for tracking the given reference signal. It is proven that the constructed controller is robust to the uncertainties of both the unknown parameters and the system states. These results show that the global stability of the resulting closed-loop systems has been guaranteed and the ε-tracking problem has been solved. Meanwhile, it is also proven that the tracking error tends to a ‘steady state’ at the negative exponential attenuating rate. Simulation examples show that the tracking effects of the designed adaptive control systems are good, and the control quantities used in the simulation examples are always within the range of the admissible control.     

An Enhanced Coupling Nonlinear Tracking Controller for Underactuated 3D Overhead Crane Systems

An enhanced coupling nonlinear tracking control method for an underactuated 3D overhead crane systems is set forth in the present paper. The proposed tracking controller guarantees a smooth start for the trolley and solves the problem of the payload swing angle amplitude increasing as the transferring distance gets longer for the regulation control methods. Different from existing tracking control methods, the presented control approach has an improved transient performance. More specifically, by taking the operation experience, mathematical analysis of the overhead crane system, physical constraints, and operational efficiency into consideration, we first select two desired trajectories for the trolley. Then, a new storage function is constructed by the introduction of two new composite signals, which increases the coupling behaviour between the trolley movement and payload swing. Next, a novel tracking control strategy is designed according to the derivation form of the aforementioned storage function. Lyapunov techniques and Barbalat's Lemma are used to demonstrate the stability of the closed‐loop system without any approximation manipulations to the original nonlinear dynamics. Finally, some simulation and experiments are used to demonstrate the superior transient performance and strong robustness with respect to different cable lengths, payload masses, destinations, and external disturbances of the enhanced coupling nonlinear tracking control scheme.     

非线性系统近似最优PD动态补偿控制

本文研究了一类基于动态补偿的非线性系统的近似最优PD控制的问题.用微分方程的逐次逼近理论将非线性系统的最优控制问题转化为求解线性非齐次两点边值序列问题,并提供了从时域最优状态反馈到频域最优PD控制器参数的优化方法,从而获取系统最优的动态补偿网络,设计出最优PD整定参数,给出其实现算法.最后仿真示例将所提出的方法与传统的线性二次型调节器（LQR）逐次逼近方法相比较,表明该方法具有良好的动态性能和鲁棒性.     

On Improving Transient Performance in Tracking Control for a Class of Nonlinear Discrete-Time Systems With Input Saturation

Quick response and small overshoot are two desired transient performances of target tracking control. While most of the design schemes compromise between these two performances, we try to achieve both simultaneously for the tracking control of a class of nonlinear discrete-time systems with input saturation by using a composite nonlinear feedback (CNF) control technique. The closed-loop system with improved transient performance preserves the stability of the nonlinear part of the partially linear composite system.     

On invariant sets and closed‐loop boundedness of Lure‐type nonlinear systems by LPV‐embedding

We address the problem of achieving trajectory boundedness and computing ultimate bounds and invariant sets for Lure‐type nonlinear systems with a sector‐bounded nonlinearity. Our first contribution is to compare two systematic methods to compute invariant sets for Lure systems. In the first method, a linear‐like bound is considered for the nonlinearity, and this bound is used to compute an invariant set by regarding the nonlinear system as a linear system with a nonlinear perturbation. In the second method, the sector‐bounded nonlinearity is treated as a time‐varying parameterised linear function with bounded parameter variations, and then invariant sets are computed by embedding the nonlinear system into a convex polytopic linear parameter varying (LPV) system. We show that under some conditions on the system matrices, these approaches give identical invariant sets, the LPV‐embedding method being less conservative in the general case. The second contribution of the paper is to characterise a class of Lure systems, for which an appropriately designed linear state feedback achieves bounded trajectories of the closed‐loop nonlinear system and allows for the computation of an invariant set via a simple, closed‐form expression. The third contribution is to show that, for disturbances that are ‘aligned’ with the control input, arbitrarily small ultimate bounds on the system states can be achieved by assigning the eigenvalues of the linear part of the system with ‘large enough’ negative real part. We illustrate the results via examples of a pendulum system, a Josephson junction circuit and the well‐known Chua circuit. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Composite nonlinear feedback control for linear singular systems with input saturation

This paper investigates the composite nonlinear feedback (CNF) control technique for linear singular systems with input saturation. First, a linear feedback control law is designed for the step tracking control problem of linear singular systems subject to input saturation. Then, based on this linear feedback gain, a CNF control law is constructed to improve the transient performance of the closed-loop system. By introducing a generalized Lyapunov equation, this paper develops a design procedure for constructing the CNF control law for linear singular systems with input saturation. After decomposing the closed-loop system into fast subsystem and slow subsystem, it can be shown that the nonlinear part of the CNF control law only relies on slow subsystem. The improvement of transient performance by the proposed design method is demonstrated by an illustrative example.     

Some generalizations on the ultimate boundedness control of uncertain systems

Some generalizations on the ultimate boundedness control of uncertain systems are made in this paper. First, the ‘cone-bounded assumption’ on the plant uncertainties of a class of nominally linear uncertain systems is weakened to a more general ‘K _∞-bounded assumption’. Second, we show that ‘half’ of the uncertain systems with the ‘cone-bounded assumption’ can be practically stabilized via a linear control. Third, for a class of nominally nonlinear uncertain systems with the ‘matching assumption’, a similar smooth nonlinear state feedback control can be constructed to guarantee the uniform ultimate boundedness of the closed-loop trajectories.     

Robust formation tracking control of mobile robots via one-to-one time-varying communication

We solve the formation tracking control problem for mobile robots via linear control, under the assumption that each agent communicates only with one ‘leader’ robot and with one follower, hence forming a spanning-tree topology. We assume that the communication may be interrupted on intervals of time. As in the classical tracking control problem for non-holonomic systems, the swarm is driven by a fictitious robot which moves about freely and which is a leader to one robot only. Our control approach is decentralised and the control laws are linear with time-varying gains; in particular, this accounts for the case when position measurements may be lost over intervals of time. For both velocity-controlled and force-controlled systems, we establish uniform global exponential stability, hence consensus formation tracking, for the error system under a condition of persistency of excitation on the reference angular velocity of the virtual leader and on the control gains.     

Optimal Control of Nonlinear Inverted Pendulum System Using PID Controller and LQR: Performance Analysis Without and With Disturbance Input

Linear quadratic regulator(LQR) and proportional-integral-derivative(PID) control methods, which are generally used for control of linear dynamical systems, are used in this paper to control the nonlinear dynamical system. LQR is one of the optimal control techniques, which takes into account the states of the dynamical system and control input to make the optimal control decisions.The nonlinear system states are fed to LQR which is designed using a linear state-space model. This is simple as well as robust. The inverted pendulum, a highly nonlinear unstable system, is used as a benchmark for implementing the control methods. Here the control objective is to control the system such that the cart reaches a desired position and the inverted pendulum stabilizes in the upright position. In this paper, the modeling and simulation for optimal control design of nonlinear inverted pendulum-cart dynamic system using PID controller and LQR have been presented for both cases of without and with disturbance input. The Matlab-Simulink models have been developed for simulation and performance analysis of the control schemes. The simulation results justify the comparative advantage of LQR control method.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis><Subscript>∞</Subscript> suboptimal tracking controller design for a class of nonlinear systems

In this paper, a new technique is proposed to solve the H _∞ tracking problem for a broad class of nonlinear systems. Towards this end, based on a discounted cost function, a nonlinear two-player zero-sum differential (NTPZSD) game is defined. Then, the problem is converted to another NTPZSD game without any discount factor in its corresponding cost function. A state-dependent Riccati equation (SDRE) technique is applied to the latter NTPZSD game in order to find its approximate solution which leads to obtain a feedback-feedforward control law for the original game. It is proved that the tracking error between the system state and its desired trajectory converges asymptotically to zero under mild conditions on the discount factor. The proposed H _∞ tracking controller is applied to two nonlinear systems (the Vander Pol’s oscillator and the insulin-glucose regulatory system of type I diabetic patients). Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed H _∞ tracking controller is so effective to solve the problem of tracking time-varying desired trajectories in nonlinear dynamical systems.     

Probabilistic robust design with linear quadratic regulators

In this paper, we study robust design of uncertain systems in a probabilistic setting by means of linear quadratic regulators (LQR). We consider systems affected by random bounded nonlinear uncertainty so that classical optimization methods based on linear matrix inequalities cannot be used without conservatism. The approach followed here is a blend of randomization techniques for the uncertainty together with convex optimization for the controller parameters. In particular, we propose an iterative algorithm for designing a controller which is based upon subgradient iterations. At each step of the sequence, we first generate a random sample and then we perform a subgradient step for a convex constraint defined by the LQR problem. The main result of the paper is to prove that this iterative algorithm provides a controller which quadratically stabilizes the uncertain system with probability one in a finite number of steps. In addition, at a fixed step, we compute a lower bound of the probability that a quadratically stabilizing controller is found.     

Adaptive PSO for optimal LQR tracking control of 2 DoF laboratory helicopter

This paper deals with the attitude tracking control problem for a 2 DoF laboratory helicopter using optimal linear quadratic regulator (LQR). As the performance of the LQR controller greatly depends on the weighting matrices (Q and R), it is important to select them optimally. However, normally the weighting matrices are selected based on trial and error approach, which not only makes the controller design tedious but also time consuming. Hence, to address the weighting matrices selection problem of LQR, in this paper we propose an adaptive particle swarm optimization (APSO) method to obtain the elements of Q and R matrices. Moreover, to enhance the convergence speed and precision of the conventional PSO, an adaptive inertia weight factor (AIWF) is introduced in the velocity update equation of PSO. One of the key features of the AIWF is that unlike the standard PSO in which the inertia weight is kept constant throughout the optimization process, the weights are varied adaptively according to the success rate of the particles towards the optimum value. The proposed APSO based LQR control strategy is applied for pitch and yaw axes control of 2 Degrees of Freedom (DoF) laboratory helicopter workstation, which is a highly nonlinear and unstable system. Experimental results substantiate that the weights optimized using APSO, compared to PSO, result in not only reduced tracking error but also improved tracking response with reduced oscillations.     

A new tracking controller for discrete‐time SISO non minimum phase systems

A new tracking controller for discrete‐time Single Input Single Output (SISO) non‐minimum phase (NMP) systems is presented. In the proposed method, after cancelation of poles and cancelable zeros of the system, the controller adds some NMP zeros to compensate the effect of NMP zero (zeros) of the system. As a result, the phase of the overall transfer function will be almost linear and its magnitude approaches unity for all frequencies. The method can be applied even to the systems with complex conjugate NMP zeros. As well, it is applicable to the systems for which the conventional methods cannot properly be used. Furthermore, a generalization of method to continuous‐time systems is another given result. Several examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the method. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society