Tracking in nonlinear differential-algebraic control systems with applications to constrained robot systems

We consider the design of a feedback control law for control systems described by a class of nonlinear differential-algebraic equations so that certain desired outputs track given reference inputs. The nonlinear differential-algebraic control system being considered is not in state variable form. Assumptions are introduced and a procedure is developed such that an equivalent state realization of the control system described by nonlinear differential-algebraic equations is expressed in a familiar normal form. A nonlinear feedback control law is then proposed which ensures, under appropriate assumptions, that the tracking error in the closed loop differential-algebraic system approaches zero exponentially. Applications to simultaneous contact force and position tracking in constrained robot systems with rigid joints, constrained robot systems with joint flexibility, and constrained robot systems with significant actuator dynamics are discussed.     

Stability and Control of Collective Systems

In this paper, decentralized, distributed feedback control laws are presented for cooperative robotic systems whose task is to localize unknown sources. The control laws follow from a second order representation of the source field. The stability of the proposed feedback control laws for the individual robots, and for the entire robot collective, is demonstrated using Lyapunov's direct method and a vector Lyapunov approach. Additional feedback control laws are proposed to achieve an additional level of coordination. In particular, control laws that achieve desired formations surrounding a localized source are developed.     

Cost-efficient drilling using industrial robots with high-bandwidth force feedback

Here we present a method for high-precision drilling using an industrial robot with high-bandwidth force feedback, which is used for building up pressure to clamp-up an end-effector to the work-piece surface prior to drilling. The focus is to eliminate the sliding movement (skating) of the end-effector during the clamp-up of the end-effector to the work-piece surface, an undesired effect that is due to the comparatively low mechanical stiffness of typical serial industrial robots. This compliance also makes the robot deflect due to the cutting forces, resulting in poor hole position accuracy and to some extent in poor hole quality. Recently, functionality for high-bandwidth force control has found its way into industrial robot control systems. This could potentially open up the possibility for robotic drilling systems with improved performance, using only standard systems without excessive extra hardware and calibration techniques. Instead of automation with expensive fixtures and precise machinery, our approach was to make use of standard low-cost robot equipment in combination with sensor feedback. The resulting sliding suppression control results in greatly improved hole positioning and quality. The conceptual idea behind the force control is useful also in many other robotic applications requiring external sensor feedback control.     

Dependable control of uncertain linear systems based on set-theoretic methods

This article concerns the feedback control of discrete-time systems subject to disturbances and uncertainties in both model parameters and signal measurements. The uncertainties are assumed to be unknown but bounded and thus characterised by closed intervals or sets. The main result is a new approach to design a feedback controller keeping the system state in a target set. First, a method is proposed that computes minimal enclosures of the set of reachable states, which are consistent with the uncertain input and output measurements and the system dynamics. Then, a control method to keep the current state set in the target set is developed, which extends control techniques based on invariant polyhedra. The method is illustrated by a mobile robot experiment.     

An adaptive locomotion controller for a hexapod robot: CPG,kinematics and force feedback

Insects can perform versatile locomotion behaviors such as multiple gaits, adapting to different terrains, fast escaping, etc. However, most of the existing bio-inspired legged robots do not possess such walking ability, especially when they walk on irregular terrains. To tackle this challenge, a central pattern generator （CPG）-based locomotion control methodology is proposed, integrated with a contact force feedback function. In this approach, multiple gaits are produced by the CFG module. After passing through a post-processing circuit and a delay-line, the control signal is fed into six trajectory generators to generate predefined feet trajectories for the six legs. Then, force feedback is employed to adjust these trajectories so as to adapt the robot to rough terrains. Finally the regulated trajectories are sent to inverse kinematics modules such that the position control instructions are generated to control the actuators. In both simulations and real robot experiments, we consistently show that the robot can perform sophisticated walking patterns. What is more, the robot can use the force feedback mechanism to deal with the irregularity in rough terrain. With this mechanism, the stability and adaptability of the robot are enhanced. In conclusion, the CPG-base control is an effective approach for legged robots and the force feedback approach is able to improve walking ability of the robots, especially when they walk on irregular terrains.     

机器人灵巧手基关节交叉耦合同步控制

为了提高机器人灵巧手基关节的轨迹跟踪精度,提出了包含同步误差和位置误差反馈项及平滑鲁棒非 线性反馈补偿项的交叉耦合同步控制策略,并建立了手指动力学模型．基于李亚普诺夫稳定性理论证明了所提出的 控制策略能够使同步误差和位置误差均收敛到0,并且保证了系统的渐近稳定性．与传统非同步控制的PD 加摩擦 力补偿算法和轨迹跟踪控制算法进行比较,实验结果验证了所提出控制策略的有效性．     

Dynamics and Noncollocated Model‐Free Position Control for a Space Robot with Multi‐Link Flexible Manipulators

In this paper, both the dynamics and noncollocated model‐free position control (NMPC) for a space robot with multi‐link flexible manipulators are developed. Using assumed modes approach to describe the flexible deformation, the dynamic model of the flexible space robotic system is derived with Lagrangian method to represent the system dynamic behaviors. Based on Lyapunov's direct method, the robust model‐free position control with noncollocated feedback is designed for position regulation of the space robot and vibration suppression of the flexible manipulators. The closed‐loop stability of the space robotic system can be guaranteed and the guideline of choosing noncollocated feedback is analyzed. The proposed control is easily implementable for flexible space robot with both uncertain complicated dynamic model and unknown system parameters, and all the control signals can be measured by sensors directly or obtained by a backward difference algorithm. Numerical simulations on a two‐link flexible space robot are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control.     

Supervised Autonomy: A Framework for Human-Robot Systems Development

In this paper we present a paradigm for robot control, Supervised Autonomy. Supervised Autonomy is a framework, which facilitates the development of human robot systems. The components which this framework embraces has been devised in a human-oriented manner, to augment users in accomplishing their task. The general concept of our paradigm is to incorporate supervisory control with a qualitative approach for the control of robots. Supervisory control does not rely on human users to perform all the basic functions of perception and action in a system. The approach we have taken shifts all basic autonomous functions to the physical robot agent, integrated with a set of qualitative instructions, in combination with a simple graphical user interface, and together with suitable feedback form the complete framework. Experimental results of applying this framework to the use of a mobile robot teleoperation system are presented. The system we have developed make extensive use of behavior-based control technology, embracing a number of real-time visual behaviours, together with a set of intuitive instructions designed for the navigation of a mobile robot.     

Manipulator motion control in operational space using joint velocity inner loops

This paper addresses the operational space motion control—trajectory tracking—of robot manipulators endowed with joint velocity feedback inner loops. A general structure for model-based joint velocity controllers is proposed for the inner loop. The required joint velocity reference is provided by an outer loop inspired from the robot kinematic control approach. It is shown that above two-loops control schemes lead to a nice cascade structure for the corresponding closed-loop systems. A stability result adapted for analysis of this particular kind of systems is developed in the paper; sufficient conditions for global exponential stability of this class of cascade systems are obtained. The effectiveness of the proposed control approach is evaluated on a direct-drive mechanical arm, and compared with a typical control strategy based on inverse kinematics resolution for computation of the desired motion in joint space, and the use of the computed-torque technique. The experimental evidences show better performance of the proposed two-loops controller.     

Passivity-based tracking control of an omnidirectional mobile robot using only one geometrical parameter

This paper presents an output feedback tracking control scheme for a three-wheeled omnidirectional mobile robot, based on passivity property and a modified generalized proportional integral (GPI) observer. The proposed control approach is attractive from an implementation point of view, since only one robot geometrical parameter (i.e., contact radius) is required. Firstly, a nominal dynamic model is given and the passivity property is analyzed. Then the controller is designed based on passivity property and a modified GPI observer. The controller design objective is to preserve the passivity property of the robot system in the closed-loop system, which is conceptually different from the traditional model-based control methodology. Particularly, the designed control system takes full advantage of the robot natural damping. Therefore, only considerably small or non differential feedback is needed. In addition, theoretical analysis is given to show the closed-loop stability behavior. Finally, experiments are conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed control system design in both tracking and robustness performance.     

Dynamic Load Carrying Capacity of Flexible Cable Suspended Robot: Robust Feedback Linearization Control Approach

In this paper dynamic load carrying capacity (DLCC) of a cable robot equipped with a closed loop control system based on feedback linearization, is calculated for both rigid and flexible joint systems. This parameter is the most important character of a cable robot since the main application of this kind of robots is their high load carrying capacity. First of all the dynamic equations required for control approach are represented and then the formulation of control approach is driven based on feedback linearization method which is the most suitable control algorithm for nonlinear dynamic systems like robots. This method provides a perfect accuracy and also satisfies the Lyapunov stability since any desired pole placement can be achieved by using suitable gain for controller. Flexible joint cable robot is also analyzed in this paper and its stability is ensured by implementing robust control for the designed control system. DLCC of the robot is calculated considering motor torque constrain and accuracy constrain. Finally a simulation study is done for two samples of rigid cable robot, a planar complete constrained sample with three cables and 2 degrees of freedom and a spatial unconstrained case with six cables and 6 degrees of freedom. Simulation studies continue with the same spatial robot but flexible joint characteristics. Not only the DLCC of the mentioned robots are calculated but also required motors torque and desired angular velocity of the motors are calculated in the closed loop condition for a predefined trajectory. The effectiveness of the designed controller is shown by the aid of simulation results as well as comparison between rigid and flexible systems.     

移动机器人网络控制系统的输出反馈控制

以线性时不变系统为被控对象,建立了四轮移动机器人网络控制系统的离散数学模型。诱导时延是影响系统性能的关键因素,通过在节点中设置缓冲区的方法可以将网络控制系统中的随机诱导时延转化为确定性时延,从而将网络控制系统由随机系统转化为确定性系统。通过被控对象移动机器人控制实验系统,设计了一个能处理网络诱导时延的输出反馈控制器,分析了采样周期和网络诱导时延对网络控制系统稳定性的影响。仿真结果表明了该控制器和控制策略的正确性及有效性。     

Decentralized PD and Robust Nonlinear Control for Robot Manipulators

A decentralized PD and robust nonlinear feedback law for robot motioncontrol is proposed. The control system structure is based on thegeneralized tracking error proposed by Slotine and Li. Using this systemstructure, a simple and comprehensive result on the local stabilityconditions of PD control is obtained. A decentralized robust nonlinearfeedback term is then added to it to improves the performance of trackingerrors from local convergence to global convergence. Since the approachkeeps the simplicity of the independent joint controller structure it can beeasily implemented in most robot systems without hardware alteration.     

Optimal periodic output feedback control: a continuous-time approach and a case study

This article deals with the problem of optimal static output feedback control of linear periodic systems in continuous time, for which a continuous-time approach, which allows to deal with both stable and unstable open loop systems, is presented. The proposed approach is tested on the problem of designing attitude control laws for a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite on the basis of feedback from a triaxial magnetometer and a set of high-precision gyros. Simulation results are used to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed strategy and to evaluate its performance.     

An imaginary robot model and double-PD control for redundant robotic systems

The theory and applications of an imaginary robot model with a double-PD control law for redundant robotic systems are presented. The imaginary robot model is based on a special Riemannian metric decomposition for general nonlinear dynamic systems. This model offers an effective way for reducing nonlinear feedback formulation while preserving the linearized system equation. The developed procedure is also applicable to redundant robots. A three-dimensional redundant robot main-frame having three revolute joints plus a prismatic joint is used in the paper to illustrate the design procedure based on the imaginary robot model with the double-PD control scheme. The entire dynamic control algorithm is also verified by a simulation study on the four-joint three-dimensional robot arm.     

FEEDBACK STABILIZATION OF NONHOLONOMIC CONTROL SYSTEMS USING MODEL DECOMPOSITION

This paper presents a simple and systematic approach for feedback stabilization of nonholonomic control systems. Its effectiveness is tested on two different nonholonomic control systems such as: a front wheel drive car, and a mobile robot with trailer. The method relies on the decomposition of model into two subsystems. One subsystem is stabilized by using the trajectory interception approach and other subsystem is steered by using sinusoidal inputs. The mixture of both types of control stabilizes the actual system. This approach does not necessitate the conversion of the system model into a “chained form”, and thus does not rely on any special transformation techniques. The approach presented is general and can be employed to control a variety of mechanical systems with velocity constraints.     

多关节机器人的一种非线性反馈控制方法

本文研究了一种基于高阶线性化近似方法的机器人非线性反馈控制问题。首先,给出了多关节机器人的动力学模型,研究了一般非线性系统相对于某一标称轨迹的高阶线性近似方法,建立了高阶反馈项系数的计算公式,然后,讨论了多关节机器人的二阶近似非线性反馈控制方案。最后,给出了数字仿真结果.     

On the Control of a One Degree-of-Freedom Juggling Robot

This paper is devoted to the feedback control of a one degree-of-freedom (dof) juggling robot, considered as a subclass of mechanical systems subject to a unilateral constraint. The proposed approach takes into account the whole dynamics of the system, and focuses on the design of a force input. It consists of a family of hybrid feedback control laws, that allow to stabilize the object around some desired (periodic or not) trajectory. The closed-loop behavior in presence of various disturbances is studied. Despite good robustness properties, the importance of good knowledge of the system parameters, like the restitution coefficient, is highlighted. Besides its theoretical interest concerning the control of a class of mechanical systems subject to unilateral constraints, this study has potential applications in non-prehensile manipulation, extending pushing robotic tasks to striking-and-pushing tasks. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

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.     

动态滑模控制及其在移动机器人输出跟踪中的应用

针对轮式移动机器人的输出跟踪问题,提出一种动态滑模控制方法,首先给出机器人的动力学简化模型,然后将其分解成两个低阶子系统,并给出其输出跟踪的动态滑模控制器设计方法,仿真试验表明该方法能明显地削弱滑模控制系统的抖振。