Iterative learning control for integrated system of robot and machine tool

This study is concerned with the integrated system of a robot and a machine tool. The major task of robot is loading the workpiece to the machine tool for contour cutting. An iterative learning control (ILC) algorithm is proposed to improve the accuracy of the finished product. The proposed ILC is to modify the input command of the next machining cycle for both robot and machine tool to iteratively enhance the output accuracy of the robot and machine tool. The modified command is computed based on the current tracking/contour error. For the ILC of the robot, tracking error is considered as the control objective to reduce the tracking error of motion path, in particular, the error at the endpoint. Meanwhile, for the ILC of the machine tool, contour error is considered as the control objective to improve the contouring accuracy, which determines the quality of machining. In view of the complicated contour error model, the equivalent contour error instead of the actual contour error is taken as the control objective in this study. One challenge for the integrated system is that there exists an initial state error for the machine tool dynamics, violating the basic assumption of ILC. It will be shown in this study that the effects of initial state error can be significantly reduced by the ILC of the robot. The proposed ILC algorithm is verified experimentally on an integrated system of commercial robot and machine tool. The experimental results show that the proposed ILC can achieve more than 90% of reduction on both the RMS tracking error of the robot and the RMS contour error of the machine tool within six learning iterations. The results clearly validate the effectiveness of the proposed ILC for the integrated system.     

A P‐type Iterative Learning Controller for Uncertain Robotic Systems with Exponentially Decaying Error Bounds

This paper presents a P‐type iterative learning control (ILC) scheme for uncertain robotic systems that perform the same tasks repetitively. The proposed ILC scheme comprises a linear feedback controller consisting of position error and exponentially weighted velocity error with respect to the number of iterations, and a feedforward learning controller updated by the exponentially weighted velocity error from previous trial. As the learning iteration proceeds, the position and velocity errors converge uniformly to zero within error bounds that decay exponentially through the sequence of iterations with arbitrarily selected convergence rate. Consequently, the proposed ILC scheme enables analysis and tuning of the exponential convergence rate in the iteration domain in contrast to other existing P‐type ILC schemes. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

An open-closed-loop iterative learning control approach for nonlinear switched systems with application to freeway traffic control

For nonlinear switched discrete-time systems with input constraints, this paper presents an open-closed-loop iterative learning control (ILC) approach, which includes a feedforward ILC part and a feedback control part. Under a given switching rule, the mathematical induction is used to prove the convergence of ILC tracking error in each subsystem. It is demonstrated that the convergence of ILC tracking error is dependent on the feedforward control gain, but the feedback control can speed up the convergence process of ILC by a suitable selection of feedback control gain. A switched freeway traffic system is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed ILC law.     

Noise tolerant iterative learning control for a class of continuous-time systems

The paper proposes a noise tolerant iterative learning control (ILC) for a class of linear continuous-time systems, which achieves high-precision tracking for uncertain plants by iteration of trials in the presence of heavy measurement noise. The robustness against measurement noise is achieved through (i) projection of continuous-time I/O signals onto a finite-dimensional parameter space, (ii) using error data of all past iterations via an integral operation in the learning law and (iii) noise reduction by H² optimization subject to a specified convergence speed of the ILC.     

Adaptive iterative learning control for switched nonlinear continuous-time systems

In this paper, an adaptive iterative learning control (ILC) method is proposed for switched nonlinear continuous-time systems with time-varying parametric uncertainties. First, an iterative learning controller is constructed with a state feedback term in the time domain and an adaptive learning term in the iteration domain. Then a switched nonlinear continuous-discrete two-dimensional (2D) system is built to describe the adaptive ILC system. Multiple 2D Lyapunov functions-based analysis ensures that the 2D system is exponentially stable, and the tracking error will converge to zero in the iteration domain. The design method of the iterative learning controller is obtained by solving a linear matrix inequality. Finally, the efficacy of the proposed controller is demonstrated by the simulation results.     

Robust monotone gradient‐based discrete‐time iterative learning control

This paper considers the use of matrix models and the robustness of a gradient‐based iterative learning control (ILC) algorithm using both fixed learning gains and nonlinear data‐dependent gains derived from parameter optimization. The philosophy of the paper is to ensure monotonic convergence with respect to the mean‐square value of the error time series. The paper provides a complete and rigorous analysis for the systematic use of the well‐known matrix models in ILC. Matrix models provide necessary and sufficient conditions for robust monotonic convergence. They also permit the construction of accurate sufficient frequency domain conditions for robust monotonic convergence on finite time intervals for both causal and non‐causal controller dynamics. The results are compared with recently published results for robust inverse‐model‐based ILC algorithms and it is seen that the algorithm has the potential to improve the robustness to high‐frequency modelling errors, provided that resonances within the plant bandwidth have been suppressed by feedback or series compensation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stochastic P-type/D-type iterative learning control algorithms

This paper presents stochastic algorithms that compute optimal and sub-optimal learning gains for a P-type iterative learning control algorithm (ILC) for a class of discrete-time-varying linear systems. The optimal algorithm is based on minimizing the trace of the input error covariance matrix. The state disturbance, reinitialization errors and measurement errors are considered to be zero-mean white processes. It is shown that if the product of the input-output coupling matrices C ( t + 1 ) B ( t ) is full column rank, then the input error covariance matrix converges to zero in presence of uncorrelated disturbances. Another sub-optimal P-type algorithm, which does not require the knowledge of the state matrix, is also presented. It is shown that the convergence of the input error covariance matrices corresponding to the optimal and sub-optimal P-type and D-type algorithms are equivalent, and all converge to zero at a rate inversely proportional to the number of learning iterations. A transient-response performance comparison, in the domain of learning iterations, for the optimal and sub-optimal P- and D-type algorithms is investigated. A numerical example is added to illustrate the results.     

High speed laser scanning microscopy by iterative learning control of a galvanometer scanner

Iterative learning control (ILC) for a galvanometer scanner is proposed to achieve high speed, linear, and accurate bidirectional scanning for scanning laser microscopy. A galvanometer scanner, as a low stiffness actuator, is first stabilized with a feedback control compensating for disturbances and nonlinearities at low frequencies, and ILC is applied for the control of the fast scanning motion. For stable inversion of the non-minimum phase zeros, a time delay approximation and a zero phase approximation are used for design of ILC, and their attainable bandwidths are analyzed. Experimental results verify the benefits of ILC of its wide control bandwidth, enabling a faster, more linear, and more accurate scanning without a phase lag and a gain mismatch. At the scan rate of 4112 lines per second, the root mean square (RMS) error of the ILC can be reduced by a factor of 73 in comparison with the feedback controlled galvanometer scanner of the commercial system.     

Quasi-Newton-type optimized iterative learning control for discrete linear time invariant systems

In this paper, a quasi-Newton-type optimized iterative learning control (ILC) algorithm is investigated for a class of discrete linear time-invariant systems. The proposed learning algorithm is to update the learning gain matrix by a quasi-Newton-type matrix instead of the inversion of the plant. By means of the mathematical inductive method, the monotone convergence of the proposed algorithm is analyzed, which shows that the tracking error monotonously converges to zero after a finite number of iterations. Compared with the existing optimized ILC algorithms, due to the superlinear convergence of quasi-Newton method, the proposed learning law operates with a faster convergent rate and is robust to the ill-condition of the system model, and thus owns a wide range of applications. Numerical simulations demonstrate the validity and effectiveness.     

Basis functions and parameter optimisation in high-order iterative learning control

In this paper a new parameter-optimal high-order Iterative Learning Control (ILC) algorithms is proposed to extend the work of Owens and Feng [Parameter optimisation in iterative learning control. International Journal of Control 14(11), 1059-1069]. If the original plant is positive, this new algorithm will result in convergent learning where the convergence is monotonic to zero tracking error. If the original plant is not positive, it can be shown that by adding a suitable set of basis functions into the algorithm, the tracking error will again converge monotonically to zero. This provides a considerable improvement to earlier work on parameter-optimal ILC as it opens up the possibility of globally convergent algorithms for any linear plant G. The number of parameters needed to ensure convergence could, however, become large. The paper shows that the use of low-order parameterisations is capable of achieving much of the benefit achieved in the ‘ideal’ case.     

Iterative learning control for position tracking of a pneumatic actuated X–Y table

The iterative learning control (ILC) obtains the unknown information from repeated control operations. Meanwhile, the tracking error from previous stages is used as the correction factor for the next control action. Therefore, the ILC controller can make the system tracking error converge to a small region within a limited number of iterations. This study builds a proportional-valve-controlled pneumatic X–Y table system for performing position tracking control experiments. The experiments involve implementing the ILC controllers and comparing the results. The P-type updating law with delay parameters is used for both the x- and y-axes in the repetitive trajectory tracking control. Experimental results demonstrate that the ILC controller can effectively control the system and track the desired circular trajectory at different speeds. The control parameters are varied to investigate their effects on the ILC convergence.     

迭代扩张状态观测器及其在迭代学习控制中的应用

针对一类迭代学习控制(ILC)系统的不确定项,根据时域中扩张状态观测器的思想,提出迭代域中线性迭代扩张状态观测器(LIESO),该线性迭代扩张状态观测器可以利用迭代过程的跟踪误差给出迭代学习控制系统的不确定项的显式估计。给出了基于该估计的迭代学习控制算法,并应用类Lyapunov方法证明其收敛性。仿真结果表明,所提出的迭代学习控制算法是有效的,应用迭代扩张状态观测器可以大幅度提高迭代学习效率。     

Iterative learning control for uncertain systems: Noncausal finite time interval robust control design

In this paper, we present a novel robust Iterative Learning Control (ILC) control strategy that is robust against model uncertainty as given by an additive uncertainty model. The design methodology hinges on ??_∞ optimization, but formulated such that the obtained ILC controller is not restricted to be causal, and inherently operates on a finite time interval. Optimization of the robust ILC (R‐ILC) solution is accomplished for the situation where any information about structure in the uncertainty is discarded, and for the situation where the information about the structure in the uncertainty is explicitly taken into account. Subsequently, the convergence and performance properties of resulting R‐ILC controlled system are analyzed. On an experimental set‐up, we show that the presented R‐ILC control strategy can outperform an existing linear‐quadratic norm‐optimal ILC approach and an existing causal R‐ILC approach based on frequency domain ??_∞ synthesis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于Jacobi方法的线性离散时间系统的迭代学习控制

提出线性离散时间系统基于Jacobi方法的迭代学习控制问题.通过构建线性迭代学习控制问题与线性方程组之间的联系,将Jacobi方法引入到迭代学习控制中,并由此构建得到迭代学习控制律.借助于矩阵运算,证明这种学习律能使得系统的输出跟踪误差经有限次迭代后为零.数值例子说明了算法的可适用性.     

Iterative learning control for strictly unknown nonlinear systems subject to external disturbances

This paper deals with Iterative Learning Control ILC schemes to solve the trajectory tracking problem of strictly unknown nonlinear systems subject to external disturbances, and performing repetitive tasks. Two ILC laws are presented, the first law is the high order, i.e., the information (error) of several iterations are used in the control law. The second law is the ILC with forgetting factor, i.e., the control of the preceding iteration is multiplied by a matrix of the gains. Indeed, the advantage of these algorithms, it is not only applicable for nonlinear systems with model uncertainty, but also for nonlinear systems with no data exists, neither in the structure model nor in the system parameters. In addition, the control design is very simple in the sense that there is no requirement on the choice of the learning gains. Furthermore, the convergence of our algorithms is independent of initial conditions. The asymptotic stability of the closed loop system is guaranteed. This proof is based upon the use of a Lyapunov-like positive definite sequence, which is shown to be monotonically decreasing under the proposed control schemes. Finally, simulation results on nonlinear system are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed controllers.     

Robustification of iterative learning control and repetitive control by averaging

This paper describes a recently developed averaging technique to robustify iterative learning and repetitive controllers. The robustified controllers are found by minimising cost functions that are averaged over either multiple analytical time-domain models or experimental frequency-domain data. The aim is to produce a technique that is simple and general, and can be applied to any iterative learning control (ILC) or repetitive control (RC) design that involves the minimisation of a cost function. Substantial improvement in convergence to zero tracking error in the presence of model uncertainties has been observed for both ILC and RC by this averaging technique.     

Resilient iterative learning control for a class of discrete-time nonlinear systems under hybrid attacks

The security control problem for a class of unknown nonlinear systems is considered in this paper. For the nonlinear system running in the network environment, the measurement channel is subjected to hybrid attacks. Intermittent denial of service attacks and false data injection attacks are modeled as the hybrid attacks. According to the characteristics of the repetitive system, a resilient iterative learning control (ILC) algorithm under hybrid attacks is devised. Subsequently, the stability of the system is proved by mathematical derivation and theoretical analysis in the sense of mathematical expectation. The theoretical analysis results indicate that the resilient ILC algorithm can ensure the stability of the system, and the tracking error converges with the increased number of iterations. Finally, the validity of the algorithm is illustrated by numerical simulation and mobile robot simulation.     

On a discrete-time stochastic learning control algorithm

In an earlier paper by the author (2001), the learning gain for a D-type learning algorithm, is derived based on minimizing the trace of the input error covariance matrix for linear time-varying systems. It is shown that, if the product of the input/output coupling matrices is full-column rank, then the input error covariance matrix converges uniformly to zero in the presence of uncorrelated random disturbances, whereas, the state error covariance matrix converges uniformly to zero in the presence of measurement noise. However, in general, the proposed algorithm requires knowledge of the state matrix. In this note, it is shown that equivalent results can be achieved without the knowledge of the state matrix. Furthermore, the convergence rate of the input error covariance matrix is shown to be inversely proportional to the number of learning iterations     

Robust design of feedback feed-forward iterative learning control based on 2D system theory for linear uncertain systems

For a class of linear discrete-time uncertain systems, a feedback feed-forward iterative learning control (ILC) scheme is proposed, which is comprised of an iterative learning controller and two current iteration feedback controllers. The iterative learning controller is used to improve the performance along the iteration direction and the feedback controllers are used to improve the performance along the time direction. First of all, the uncertain feedback feed-forward ILC system is presented by an uncertain two-dimensional Roesser model system. Then, two robust control schemes are proposed. One can ensure that the feedback feed-forward ILC system is bounded-input bounded-output stable along time direction, and the other can ensure that the feedback feed-forward ILC system is asymptotically stable along time direction. Both schemes can guarantee the system is robust monotonically convergent along the iteration direction. Third, the robust convergent sufficient conditions are given, which contains a linear matrix inequality (LMI). Moreover, the LMI can be used to determine the gain matrix of the feedback feed-forward iterative learning controller. Finally, the simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed schemes.     

一类非线性时变系统的迭代学习控制

针对一类具有任意初态的不确定非线性时变系统,应用校正期望轨迹方法把任意初态问题转换为零初始误差的变期望轨迹的迭代学习控制问题,提出了求解校正期望轨迹的过渡轨迹的计算方法.然后,针对变期望轨迹问题提出了一种新的迭代学习控制算法,在算法中引入了期望轨迹的高阶导数来克服期望轨迹的变化,并通过设计稳定的跟踪误差滑动面来处理系统中非线性时变不确定性.论文给出了相关定理,并应用类Lyapunov方法给出了详细证明.仿真结果表明所提出的算法是有效的,该算法不需要系统的模型结构信息,比自适应迭代学习控制算法具有更宽的适用范围.