Hongtei Eric Tseng

Bio: Hongtei Eric Tseng is an academic researcher from Ford Motor Company. The author has contributed to research in topics: Model predictive control & Torque converter. The author has an hindex of 14, co-authored 23 publications receiving 2036 citations.

Predictive Active Steering Control for Autonomous Vehicle Systems

Abstract: In this paper, a model predictive control (MPC) approach for controlling an active front steering system in an autonomous vehicle is presented. At each time step, a trajectory is assumed to be known over a finite horizon, and an MPC controller computes the front steering angle in order to follow the trajectory on slippery roads at the highest possible entry speed. We present two approaches with different computational complexities. In the first approach, we formulate the MPC problem by using a nonlinear vehicle model. The second approach is based on successive online linearization of the vehicle model. Discussions on computational complexity and performance of the two schemes are presented. The effectiveness of the proposed MPC formulation is demonstrated by simulation and experimental tests up to 21 m/s on icy roads

Vehicle Yaw Stability Control by Coordinated Active Front Steering and Differential Braking in the Tire Sideslip Angles Domain

Abstract: Vehicle active safety receives ever increasing attention in the attempt to achieve zero accidents on the road. In this paper, we investigate a control architecture that has the potential of improving yaw stability control by achieving faster convergence and reduced impact on the longitudinal dynamics. We consider a system where active front steering and differential braking are available and propose a model predictive control (MPC) strategy to coordinate the actuators. We formulate the vehicle dynamics with respect to the tire slip angles and use a piecewise affine (PWA) approximation of the tire force characteristics. The resulting PWA system is used as prediction model in a hybrid MPC strategy. After assessing the benefits of the proposed approach, we synthesize the controller by using a switched MPC strategy, where the tire conditions (linear/saturated) are assumed not to change during the prediction horizon. The assessment of the controller computational load and memory requirements indicates that it is capable of real-time execution in automotive-grade electronic control units. Experimental tests in different maneuvers executed on low-friction surfaces demonstrate the high performance of the controller.

A linear time varying model predictive control approach to the integrated vehicle dynamics control problem in autonomous systems

Abstract: A Model Predictive Control (MPC) approach for controlling active front steering, active braking and active differentials in an autonomous vehicle is presented. We formulate a predictive control problem in order to best follow a given path by controlling the front steering angle, brakes and traction at the four wheels independently, while fulfilling various physical and design constraints. At each time step a trajectory is assumed to be known over a finite horizon, and an MPC controller computes the system inputs in order to best follow the desired trajectory on slippery roads at a given entry speed. We start from the results presented in [1], [2] and formulate the MPC problem based on successive on-line linearization of the nonlinear vehicle model (LTV MPC). Simulative results are presented, interpreted and compared against LTV MPC schemes which make use only of steering and/or braking.

Robust Estimation of Road Frictional Coefficient

Abstract: Knowledge of tire force potential, i.e., tire-road frictional coefficient, is important for vehicle active safety systems because tire-road friction is an effective measure of the safety margin of vehicle dynamics. For vehicle handling dynamics, the frictional coefficient is highly coupled with tire slip angle, therefore, they need to be estimated simultaneously when the latter is not measured. This paper presents an estimation algorithm based on a robust adaptive observer methodology. Stability and robustness of this observer are analyzed numerically. The performance is analyzed using computer simulations and experiments under various road and steering conditions.

A hierarchical Model Predictive Control framework for autonomous ground vehicles

Abstract: A hierarchical framework based on Model Predictive Control (MPC) for autonomous vehicles is presented. We formulate a predictive control problem in order to best follow a given path by controlling the front steering angle while fulfilling various physical and design constraints. We start from the low-level active steering-controller presented in [3], [9] and integrate it with a high level trajectory planner. At both levels MPC design is used. At the high-level, a trajectory is computed on-line, in a receding horizon fashion, based on a simplified point-mass vehicle model. At the low- level a MPC controller computes the vehicle inputs in order to best follow the desired trajectory based on detailed nonlinear vehicle model. This article presents the approach, the method for implementing it, and successful preliminary simulative results on slippery roads at high entry speed.

A Survey of Fault Diagnosis and Fault-Tolerant Techniques—Part I: Fault Diagnosis With Model-Based and Signal-Based Approaches

Abstract: With the continuous increase in complexity and expense of industrial systems, there is less tolerance for performance degradation, productivity decrease, and safety hazards, which greatly necessitates to detect and identify any kinds of potential abnormalities and faults as early as possible and implement real-time fault-tolerant operation for minimizing performance degradation and avoiding dangerous situations. During the last four decades, fruitful results have been reported about fault diagnosis and fault-tolerant control methods and their applications in a variety of engineering systems. The three-part survey paper aims to give a comprehensive review of real-time fault diagnosis and fault-tolerant control, with particular attention on the results reported in the last decade. In this paper, fault diagnosis approaches and their applications are comprehensively reviewed from model- and signal-based perspectives, respectively.

A Survey of Motion Planning and Control Techniques for Self-Driving Urban Vehicles

Abstract: Self-driving vehicles are a maturing technology with the potential to reshape mobility by enhancing the safety, accessibility, efficiency, and convenience of automotive transportation. Safety-critical tasks that must be executed by a self-driving vehicle include planning of motions through a dynamic environment shared with other vehicles and pedestrians, and their robust executions via feedback control. The objective of this paper is to survey the current state of the art on planning and control algorithms with particular regard to the urban setting. A selection of proposed techniques is reviewed along with a discussion of their effectiveness. The surveyed approaches differ in the vehicle mobility model used, in assumptions on the structure of the environment, and in computational requirements. The side by side comparison presented in this survey helps to gain insight into the strengths and limitations of the reviewed approaches and assists with system level design choices.

Predictive Active Steering Control for Autonomous Vehicle Systems

Abstract: In this paper, a model predictive control (MPC) approach for controlling an active front steering system in an autonomous vehicle is presented. At each time step, a trajectory is assumed to be known over a finite horizon, and an MPC controller computes the front steering angle in order to follow the trajectory on slippery roads at the highest possible entry speed. We present two approaches with different computational complexities. In the first approach, we formulate the MPC problem by using a nonlinear vehicle model. The second approach is based on successive online linearization of the vehicle model. Discussions on computational complexity and performance of the two schemes are presented. The effectiveness of the proposed MPC formulation is demonstrated by simulation and experimental tests up to 21 m/s on icy roads

A Survey of Motion Planning and Control Techniques for Self-driving Urban Vehicles

Abstract: Self-driving vehicles are a maturing technology with the potential to reshape mobility by enhancing the safety, accessibility, efficiency, and convenience of automotive transportation. Safety-critical tasks that must be executed by a self-driving vehicle include planning of motions through a dynamic environment shared with other vehicles and pedestrians, and their robust executions via feedback control. The objective of this paper is to survey the current state of the art on planning and control algorithms with particular regard to the urban setting. A selection of proposed techniques is reviewed along with a discussion of their effectiveness. The surveyed approaches differ in the vehicle mobility model used, in assumptions on the structure of the environment, and in computational requirements. The side-by-side comparison presented in this survey helps to gain insight into the strengths and limitations of the reviewed approaches and assists with system level design choices.

Battery Management System: An Overview of Its Application in the Smart Grid and Electric Vehicles

Abstract: With the rapidly evolving technology of the smart grid and electric vehicles (EVs), the battery has emerged as the most prominent energy storage device, attracting a significant amount of attention. The very recent discussions about the performance of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in the Boeing 787 have confirmed so far that, while battery technology is growing very quickly, developing cells with higher power and energy densities, it is equally important to improve the performance of the battery management system (BMS) to make the battery a safe, reliable, and cost-efficient solution. The specific characteristics and needs of the smart grid and EVs, such as deep charge/discharge protection and accurate state-of-charge (SOC) and state-of-health (SOH) estimation, intensify the need for a more efficient BMS. The BMS should contain accurate algorithms to measure and estimate the functional status of the battery and, at the same time, be equipped with state-of-the-art mechanisms to protect the battery from hazardous and inefficient operating conditions.