Event-based containment control for multi-agent systems with packet dropouts

This paper is concerned with the event-triggered containment control for stochastic multi-agent systems subject to packet dropouts. The adopted event-triggered protocol is with absolutely triggered conditions catering for the requirement of real-time to an extreme. In light of such a protocol, a novel definition of containment control in mean-square sense, named as χ-containment, is proposed to better describe the tracking dynamics of followers. Based on relative measurement outputs, the purpose of this paper is to design an output-feedback controller such that all followers converge into the convex hull spanned by leaders. First, with the help of the property of the Laplacian matrix, the containment control problem is transformed to an easily setting step by step. Then, sufficient conditions with the form of matrix inequalities are derived to guarantee the desired χ-containment which depends on the initial values and the event-triggered thresholds. By introducing a free matrix combined with an orthogonal basis of the null space of control matrix, the controller gain can be obtained by solving a set of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, a simulation example is given to verify the effectiveness of the designed control protocol.     

Multi-stage dynamic event-triggered containment control of nonlinear multi-agent systems with input-bounded leaders and time-varying delay

This article immerses in the event-triggered containment control problem for a Lipschitz-like nonlinear multi-agent system with multiple active leaders. First, two event-triggered mechanisms with internal dynamic variables are designed in both sensor-observer (S-O) and controller-actuator (C-A) channels to monitor data transmission and reduce communication burden. Second, an observer is constructed with the aid of the output information to estimate the states that cannot be acquired directly. Then, a control protocol considering time-varying communications delays is proposed based on the observer. Third, the boundedness analysis of the containment error system is constructed by Lyapunov stability theory, the sufficient conditions are given in light of strict feasible LMIs. Finally, the validity of the proposed controller is verified by two simulations.     

Event-triggered containment control for multi-agent systems under hybrid cyber attacks

This paper studies event-triggered containment control problem of multi-agent systems (MASs) under deception attacks and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. First, to save limited network resources, an event-triggered mechanism is proposed for MASs under hybrid cyber attacks. Different from the existing event-triggered mechanisms, the negative influences of deception attacks and DoS attacks are considered in the proposed triggering function. The communication frequencies between agents are reduced. Then, based on the proposed event-triggered mechanism, a corresponding control protocol is proposed to ensure that the followers will converge to the convex hull formed by the leaders under deception attacks and DoS attacks. Compared with the previous researches about containment control, in addition to hybrid cyber attacks being considered, the nonlinear functions related to the states of the agents are applied to describe the deception attack signals in the MAS. By orthogonal transformation of deception attack signals, the containment control problem under deception attacks and DoS attacks is reformulated as a stability problem. Then, the sufficient conditions on containment control can be obtained. Finally, a set of simulation example is used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Observer-based event-triggered containment control of multi-agent systems with time delay

This paper studies the containment control of general linear multi-agent systems with or without time delay. The observer-based event-triggered control schemes will be considered. For the conventional distributed containment control protocol, we will not update the relative state continuously, i.e. the relative state will be updated by some events which happen intermittently. A completely decentralised event trigger will be designed for leader–follower systems. Under the proposed protocol, if we design some appropriate feedback gain matrices, all followers will asymptotically converge to the convex hull spanned by the dynamic leaders. Numerical simulations are also provided and the results show highly consistent with the theoretical results.     

基于事件触发的拓扑切换异构多智能体协同输出调节

研究切换拓扑下线性异构多智能体系统的协同输出调节问题,并设计了一个基于事件触发的输出调节控制机制.设计的控制机制不仅可以实现智能体对外部系统的渐近跟踪和干扰抑制,还可以有效减少智能体之间的信息传递数量,从而降低通信负载减少网络能耗.最后通过仿真验证结论的有效性.     

Group-Consensus of Hierarchical Containment Control for Linear Multi-Agent Systems

The existing containment control has been widely developed for several years, but ignores the case for large-scale cooperation. The strong coupling of large-scale networks will increase the costs of system detection and maintenance. Therefore, this paper is concerned with an extensional containment control issue, hierarchical containment control. It aims to enable a multitude of followers achieving a novel cooperation in the convex hull shaped by multiple leaders. Firstly, by constructing the three-layer topology, large-scale networks are decoupled. Then, under the condition of directed spanning group-tree, a class of dynamic hierarchical containment control protocol is designed such that the novel group-consensus behavior in the convex hull can be realized. Moreover, the definitions of coupling strength coefficients and the group-consensus parameter in the proposed dynamic hierarchical control protocol enhance the adjustability of systems. Compared with the existing containment control strategy, the proposed hierarchical containment control strategy improves dynamic control performance. Finally, numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed hierarchical control protocol.      

Distributed Robust Containment Control of Linear Heterogeneous Multi-Agent Systems: An Output Regulation Approach

In this paper, we consider the robust output containment problem of linear heterogeneous multi-agent systems under fixed directed networks. A distributed dynamic observer based on the leaders’ measurable output was designed to estimate a convex combination of the leaders’ states. First, for the case of followers with identical state dimensions, distributed dynamic state and output feedback control laws were designed based on the state-coupled item and the internal model compensator to drive the uncertain followers into the leaders’ convex hull within the output regulation framework. Subsequently, we extended theoretical results to the case where followers have nonidentical state dimensions. By establishing virtual errors between the dynamic observer and followers, a new distributed dynamic output feedback control law was constructed using only the states of the compensator to solve the robust output containment problem. Finally, two numerical simulations verified the effectiveness of the designed schemes.      

Containment control of switched multi-agent systems

In this paper, we consider the containment control problem for the switched multi-agent system which is composed of continuous-time and discrete-time subsystems. Continuous-time protocol based on the relative state measurements of agents are designed for the switched multi-agent system with multiple stationary and dynamic leaders, respectively. By using graph theory and matrix theory, some necessary and sufficient conditions are obtained for solving the containment control problem under arbitrary switching. When the leaders are dynamic, impulsive protocol are also proposed for the switched multi-agent system. The simulation results are given to verify the effectiveness of the theoretical results.     

Adaptive containment control of second-order multi-agent systems with nonlinear dynamics and multiple input-bounded leaders

This paper considers the adaptive containment control problem of second-order multi-agent systems with inherent nonlinear dynamics. In particular, the leaders’ control inputs are nonzero, bounded, and not available to any follower. Based on the relative states among neighbouring agents, a discontinuous adaptive protocol is first proposed to ensure that the containment errors of each follower converge to zero asymptotically, i.e. the states of the followers asymptotically converge to the convex hull spanned by those of the leaders. To eliminate the chattering effect caused by the discontinuous protocol, a continuous adaptive protocol is further designed based on the boundary layer technique and the σ-modification technique. Numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of our theoretical results.     

Lyapunov-Based Output Containment Control of Heterogeneous Multi-Agent Systems With Markovian Switching Topologies and Distributed Delays

This paper considers the mean square output containment control problem for heterogeneous multi-agent systems(MASs) with randomly switching topologies and nonuniform distributed delays. By modeling the switching topologies as a continuous-time Markov process and taking the distributed delays into consideration, a novel distributed containment observer is proposed to estimate the convex hull spanned by the leaders’ states.A novel distributed output feedback containment controller is then designed...     

Neural network-based event-triggered cluster quasi-consensus for unknown multiagent systems with directed topology

This paper studies cluster quasi-consensus problem for a class of unknown nonlinear multiagent systems (MASs) with directed communication topology. First, a distributed continuous neural network (NN)-based adaptive protocol is presented for solving this problem by introducing reference model to each agent. Then, taking limited communication resource and energy consumption into account, a distributed event-triggered cluster quasi-consensus protocol is proposed. Different from the existing results, two event-triggered mechanisms are constructed in the proposed event-triggered protocol to reduce communication load and control update frequency as possible. The sufficient conditions that guarantee cluster quasi-consensus under the both proposed protocols are obtained, respectively. Zeno behavior is proved to be excluded. Finally, simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed protocols.     

积分事件触发策略下的线性多智能体系统领导跟随一致性

研究有向切换拓扑下线性多智能体系统的事件触发一致跟踪问题.大多数已有的工作研究了固定拓扑下的事件触发控制,然而,当智能体间联系随时间发生改变或通信拓扑随时间发生变化时,该控制策略失效.鉴于此,在考虑切换拓扑的基础上提出一种基于积分型事件触发的控制策略.首先,当拓扑图包含一棵生成树且领导者是根节点时,利用Lyapunov稳定性理论、代数图论和矩阵变换,基于积分型事件触发控制协议,在切换拓扑下多智能体系统达到领导跟随一致性;然后,当存在多个领导者时,基于设计的触发机制在切换拓扑下多智能体系统实现包含控制,上述两种情况下闭环系统均不存在Zeno现象;最后,通过仿真结果验证控制策略的有效性.     

Distributed event-triggered output regulation of multi-agent systems

Motivated by the future use of embedded microprocessors with limited resources and limited computational resources, the distributed output regulation with event-driven strategies problem of linear multi-agent systems is considered in this paper. The main task is to design distributed feedback by employing event-triggered technique for multi-agent systems such that all agents can track an active leader, and/or distributed disturbance rejection. Both leader and disturbance are generated by some external system (exosystem). Both distributed static and dynamic feedback with event-triggered strategy are constructed here. Then, the input-to-state stability of the closed-loop multi-agent system is analysed. Finally, a numerical example is given to validate the proposed control.     

Aperiodic event-triggered robust model predictive control for linear parameter-varying system with round-robin protocol

This article investigates the robust model predictive control (MPC) problem for networked control systems represented by the linear parameter-varying model, in which an event-triggered strategy and the round-robin (RR) protocol scheduling locate at the sensor-to-controller and controller-to-actuator channels, respectively. By considering the problems of system state immeasurable and communication burden in engineering application, an output feedback controller that combines the aperiodic event-triggered strategy is applied, where the triggering condition is designed in a time-varying fashion. In addition, in order to avoid unexpected data collisions, the RR protocol is utilized to schedule a shared network and guarantee the efficiency of the control system. The controller parameters are obtained by solving an online convex robust MPC optimization problem, and the feasibility of the optimization problem and closed-loop stability are also addressed. The effectiveness of the proposed theoretical results is illustrated by a numerical simulation example.     

Containment control of a class of heterogeneous nonlinear multi-agent systems

This paper studies the containment control of a class of heterogeneous nonlinear multi-agent systems under general directed graph. Every follower agent is a nonlinear system in the output feedback form with the same relative degree. The authors’ goal is to design a distributed dynamic controller such that the outputs of followers enter the convex hull spanned by the outputs of leaders. To this end, the containment problem is converted into a cooperative output regulation problem, a distributed adaptive recursive procedure and the internal model are employed to design the distributed controller.     

Distributed Event-triggered Containment Control for Discrete-time Multi-agent Systems

This paper investigates the event-triggered containment control for discrete-time multi-agent systems. Event-triggered control strategies are employed in order to reduce the number of controller actuation updates for multi-agent systems with limited resources. It is assumed that each follower in the system updates its state only at some instants which are determined by the proposed event-triggered condition. Both centralized and decentralized event-triggered strategies are proposed to solve the containment control problem. Convergence analysis is given with the help of matrix theory and Lyapunov method, and it is showed that the proposed strategy does not exhibit Zeno behaviors. Numerical simulations are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.     

切换非线性系统的输出反馈周期事件触发控制

本文针对一类在任意切换信号作用下的切换非线性系统, 研究了其输出反馈周期事件触发控制问题. 所考 虑的非线性系统采用非严格反馈形式且含有未知时变控制系数. 在本文中, 仅利用采样时刻的系统输出. 为了估计 系统的不可量测的状态, 基于采样的系统输出构造了降维状态观测器. 为了减少通信资源的利用, 提出了一种新的 输出反馈周期事件触发策略, 该策略包含仅利用事件触发时刻的信息构造的输出反馈事件触发控制器以及仅在采 样时刻间歇性监测的离散事件触发机制. 通过选取可容许的采样周期及合适的公共Lyapunov函数, 证明了闭环系统 在任意切换下全局渐近稳定. 最后, 通过将本文中所给出的控制方案应用到数值算例中验证了其有效性.     

Cooperative output regulation of heterogeneous multiagent systems based on event‐triggered control with fixed and switching topologies

This paper addresses the cooperative output regulation problem of multiagent systems with fixed and switching topologies. Each agent is a heterogeneous linear system, and the output of the exosystem can be available to only a subset of agents. For the agents that can directly access the exosystem, a common observer based on an event‐triggered strategy is constructed to estimate the exogenous signal for feedback control design. For the rest of the agents, estimators based on an event‐triggered mechanism to acquire the estimation value of the exogenous signal are designed under some essential assumptions. A decentralized event‐triggered formulation is considered first by applying a Lyapunov function for a fixed topology. Furthermore, a topology‐dependent triggering condition and the average dwell‐time switching law are deduced simultaneously by using multiple Lyapunov functions for switching topologies. Under communication constraints, we propose observer‐based and estimator‐based feedback controllers to solve the cooperative output regulation problem using available local information among agents. Two examples are finally provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed theoretical results.     

基于事件触发的非线性多智能体系统的固定时间分群一致性

结合事件触发控制方法研究非线性多智能体系统的固定时间分群一致性问题.提出一种非线性分布式事件触发分群一致性控制协议,并给出状态信息触发控制器更新的条件.该控制协议不受入度平衡条件限制,且只需自身状态信息与邻居智能体进行通信即可在固定时间内快速实现分群一致性.系统收敛时间与智能体的初始状态无关,可有效降低系统控制器更新频率和系统的资源消耗.结合代数图论、矩阵分析及Lyapunov稳定性理论,证明在所提出协议作用下,多智能体系统在固定时间内能够实现分群一致性,且不存在Zeno行为.最后,通过仿真实例检验了理论结果的可行性.     

Nonfragile containment control of nonlinear multi-agent systems via a disturbance observer-based approach

In this article, we consider the nonfragile containment control problem of nonlinear multi-agent systems (MASs) with exogenous disturbance where the communication links among agents under consideration is directed. Firstly, based on relative output measurements between the agent and its neighbors, a disturbance observer-based control protocol is proposed to solve the containment control problem of MASs with inherent nonlinear dynamics and exogenous disturbances. Secondly, because of the additional tuning of parameters in the real control systems, uncertainties in the designing of observer and controller gains always occur, and as a result, an output feedback controller with disturbance rejection is conceived and the containment control problem of nonlinear MASs with nonfragility is thoroughly investigated. Then, depending on matrix transformation and inequality technique, sufficient conditions of the designed controller gains exist, which is derived from the asymptotic stability analysis problem of some containment error dynamics of MASs. Finally, two simulation examples are exploited to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed techniques.