Showing papers in "IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control in 2008"

Nonlinear Complementary Filters on the Special Orthogonal Group

Abstract: This paper considers the problem of obtaining good attitude estimates from measurements obtained from typical low cost inertial measurement units. The outputs of such systems are characterized by high noise levels and time varying additive biases. We formulate the filtering problem as deterministic observer kinematics posed directly on the special orthogonal group SO (3) driven by reconstructed attitude and angular velocity measurements. Lyapunov analysis results for the proposed observers are derived that ensure almost global stability of the observer error. The approach taken leads to an observer that we term the direct complementary filter. By exploiting the geometry of the special orthogonal group a related observer, termed the passive complementary filter, is derived that decouples the gyro measurements from the reconstructed attitude in the observer inputs. Both the direct and passive filters can be extended to estimate gyro bias online. The passive filter is further developed to provide a formulation in terms of the measurement error that avoids any algebraic reconstruction of the attitude. This leads to an observer on SO(3), termed the explicit complementary filter, that requires only accelerometer and gyro outputs; is suitable for implementation on embedded hardware; and provides good attitude estimates as well as estimating the gyro biases online. The performance of the observers are demonstrated with a set of experiments performed on a robotic test-bed and a radio controlled unmanned aerial vehicle.

Robust Adaptive Control of Feedback Linearizable MIMO Nonlinear Systems With Prescribed Performance

Abstract: A novel robust adaptive controller for multi-input multi-output (MIMO) feedback linearizable nonlinear systems possessing unknown nonlinearities, capable of guaranteeing a prescribed performance, is developed in this paper. By prescribed performance we mean that the tracking error should converge to an arbitrarily small residual set, with convergence rate no less than a prespecified value, exhibiting a maximum overshoot less than a sufficiently small prespecified constant. Visualizing the prescribed performance characteristics as tracking error constraints, the key idea is to transform the ldquoconstrainedrdquo system into an equivalent ldquounconstrainedrdquo one, via an appropriately defined output error transformation. It is shown that stabilization of the ldquounconstrainedrdquo system is sufficient to solve the stated problem. Besides guaranteeing a uniform ultimate boundedness property for the transformed output error and the uniform boundedness for all other signals in the closed loop, the proposed robust adaptive controller is smooth with easily selected parameter values and successfully bypasses the loss of controllability issue. Simulation results on a two-link robot, clarify and verify the approach.

On Consensus Algorithms for Double-Integrator Dynamics

Abstract: This note considers consensus algorithms for double-integrator dynamics. We propose and analyze consensus algorithms for double-integrator dynamics in four cases: 1) with a bounded control input, 2) without relative velocity measurements, 3) with a group reference velocity available to each team member, and 4) with a bounded control input when a group reference state is available to only a subset of the team. We show that consensus is reached asymptotically for the first two cases if the undirected interaction graph is connected. We further show that consensus is reached asymptotically for the third case if the directed interaction graph has a directed spanning tree and the gain for velocity matching with the group reference velocity is above a certain bound. We also show that consensus is reached asymptotically for the fourth case if and only if the group reference state flows directly or indirectly to all of the vehicles in the team.

Containment Control in Mobile Networks

Abstract: In this paper, the problem of driving a collection of mobile robots to a given target destination is studied. In particular, we are interested in achieving this transfer in an orderly manner so as to ensure that the agents remain in the convex polytope spanned by the leader-agents, while the remaining agents, only employ local interaction rules. To this aim we exploit the theory of partial difference equations and propose hybrid control schemes based on stop-go rules for the leader-agents. Non-Zenoness, liveness and convergence of the resulting system are also analyzed.

Asynchronous Consensus in Continuous-Time Multi-Agent Systems With Switching Topology and Time-Varying Delays

Abstract: The paper studies asynchronous consensus problems of continuous-time multi-agent systems with discontinuous information transmission. The proposed consensus control strategy is implemented based on the state information of each agent's neighbors at some discrete times. The asynchrony means that each agent's update times, at which the agent adjusts its dynamics, are independent of others'. Furthermore, it is assumed that the communication topology among agents is time-dependent and the information transmission is with bounded time-varying delays. If the union of the communication topology across any time interval with some given length contains a spanning tree, the consensus problem is shown to be solvable. The analysis tool developed in this paper is based on nonnegative matrix theory and graph theory. The main contribution of this paper is to provide a valid distributed consensus algorithm that overcomes the difficulties caused by unreliable communication channels, such as intermittent information transmission, switching communication topology, and time-varying communication delays, and therefore has its obvious practical applications. Simulation examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.

A Fully Automated Framework for Control of Linear Systems from Temporal Logic Specifications

Abstract: We consider the following problem: given a linear system and a linear temporal logic (LTL) formula over a set of linear predicates in its state variables, find a feedback control law with polyhedral bounds and a set of initial states so that all trajectories of the closed loop system satisfy the formula. Our solution to this problem consists of three main steps. First, we partition the state space in accordance with the predicates in the formula, and construct a transition system over the partition quotient, which captures our capability of designing controllers. Second, using a procedure resembling model checking, we determine runs of the transition system satisfying the formula. Third, we generate the control strategy. Illustrative examples are included.

Consensus of Multi-Agent Systems With Diverse Input and Communication Delays

Abstract: The consensus problem for multi-agent systems with input and communication delays is studied based on the frequency-domain analysis. Two decentralized consensus conditions are obtained, one of which is given for the systems based on undirected graphs with diverse input delays and the other is for the systems based on directed graphs with diverse communication delays and input delays. For the systems with both communication delays and input delays, the consensus condition is dependent on input delays but independent of communication delays.

Optimal Estimation in Networked Control Systems Subject to Random Delay and Packet Drop

Abstract: In this note, we study optimal estimation design for sampled linear systems where the sensors measurements are transmitted to the estimator site via a generic digital communication network. Sensor measurements are subject to random delay or might even be completely lost. We show that the minimum error covariance estimator is time-varying, stochastic, and it does not converge to a steady state. Moreover, the architecture of this estimator is independent of the communication protocol and can be implemented using a finite memory buffer if the delivered packets have a finite maximum delay. We also present two alternative estimator architectures that are more computationally efficient and provide upper and lower bounds for the performance of the time-varying estimator. The stability of these estimators does not depend on packet delay but only on the overall packet loss probability. Finally, algorithms to compute critical packet loss probability and estimators performance in terms of their error covariance are given and applied to some numerical examples.

Analysis and Synthesis of Markov Jump Linear Systems With Time-Varying Delays and Partially Known Transition Probabilities

Abstract: In this note, the stability analysis and stabilization problems for a class of discrete-time Markov jump linear systems with partially known transition probabilities and time-varying delays are investigated. The time-delay is considered to be time-varying and has a lower and upper bounds. The transition probabilities of the mode jumps are considered to be partially known, which relax the traditional assumption in Markov jump systems that all of them must be completely known a priori. Following the recent study on the class of systems, a monotonicity is further observed in concern of the conservatism of obtaining the maximal delay range due to the unknown elements in the transition probability matrix. Sufficient conditions for stochastic stability of the underlying systems are derived via the linear matrix inequality (LMI) formulation, and the design of the stabilizing controller is further given. A numerical example is used to illustrate the developed theory.

Stabilization of Planar Collective Motion With Limited Communication

Abstract: This paper proposes a design methodology to stabilize relative equilibria in a model of identical, steered particles moving in the plane at unit speed. Relative equilibria either correspond to parallel motion of all particles with fixed relative spacing or to circular motion of all particles around the same circle. Particles exchange relative information according to a communication graph that can be undirected or directed and time-invariant or time-varying. The emphasis of this paper is to show how previous results assuming all-to-all communication can be extended to a general communication framework.

$H^{\infty}$ Control of Linear Quantum Stochastic Systems

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to formulate and solve a H infin controller synthesis problem for a class of noncommutative linear stochastic systems which includes many examples of interest in quantum technology. The paper includes results on the class of such systems for which the quantum commutation relations are preserved (such a requirement must be satisfied in a physical quantum system). A quantum version of standard (classical) dissipativity results are presented and from this a quantum version of the strict bounded real lemma is derived. This enables a quantum version of the two Riccati solution to the H infin control problem to be presented. This result leads to controllers which may be realized using purely quantum, purely classical or a mixture of quantum and classical elements. This issue of physical realizability of the controller is examined in detail, and necessary and sufficient conditions are given. Our results are constructive in the sense that we provide explicit formulas for the Hamiltonian function and coupling operator corresponding to the controller.

Finite-Time Observers: Application to Secure Communication

Abstract: In this paper, control theory is used to formalize finite-time chaos synchronization as a nonlinear finite-time observer design issue. This paper introduces a finite-time observer for nonlinear systems that can be put into a linear canonical form up to an output injection. The finite-time convergence relies on the homogeneity properties of nonlinear systems. The observer is then applied to the problem of secure data transmission based on the finite-time chaos synchronization and the two-channel transmission method.

Dissipativity Theory for Switched Systems

Abstract: A framework of dissipativity theory for switched systems using multiple storage functions and multiple supply rates is set up. Each subsystem of a switched system is associated with a storage function to describe the "energy" stored in the subsystem, and is associated with a supply rate that represents energy coming from outside the subsystem when the subsystem is active. The exchange of "energy" between the active subsystem and an inactive subsystem is characterized by cross-supply rates. Stability is reached when all supply rates can be made negative, as long as the total exchanged energy between the active subsystem and any inactive subsystems is finite in some sense. Two special forms of dissipativity, passivity and L 2 -gain, are addressed. For both cases, asymptotic stability is guaranteed under certain "negative" output feedback plus asymptotic zero state detectability. Switched passivity conditions and switched L 2-gain inequalities are, respectively, derived, which are generalizations of classical ones. Feedback invariance of passivity and a small-gain theorem are also given.

A Necessary and Sufficient Condition for Consensus Over Random Networks

Abstract: We consider the consensus problem for stochastic discrete-time linear dynamical systems. The underlying graph of such systems at a given time instance is derived from a random graph process, independent of other time instances. For such a framework, we present a necessary and sufficient condition for almost sure asymptotic consensus using simple ergodicity and probabilistic arguments. This easily verifiable condition uses the spectrum of the average weight matrix. Finally, we investigate a special case for which the linear dynamical system converges to a fixed vector with probability 1.

Network-Based ${{\cal H}}_{\!\!\!\infty }$ Output Tracking Control

Abstract: This paper is concerned with the problem of Hinfin output tracking for network-based control systems. The physical plant and the controller are, respectively, in continuous time and discrete time. By using a sampled-data approach, a new model based on the updating instants of the holder is formulated, and a linear matrix inequality (LMI)-based procedure is proposed for designing state-feedback controllers, which guarantee that the output of the closed-loop networked control system tracks the output of a given reference model well in the Hinfin sense. Both network-induced delays and data packet dropouts have been taken into consideration in the controller design. The network-induced delays are assumed to have both an upper bound and a lower bound, which is more general than those used in the literature. The introduction of the lower bound is shown to be advantageous for reducing conservatism. Moreover, the controller design method is further extended to more general cases, where the system matrices of the physical plant contain parameter uncertainties, represented in either polytopic or norm-bounded frameworks. Finally, an illustrative example is presented to show the usefulness and effectiveness of the proposed Hinfin output tracking design.

Performance Recovery of Feedback-Linearization-Based Designs

Abstract: We consider a tracking problem for a partially feedback linearizable nonlinear system with stable zero dynamics. The system is uncertain and only the output is measured. We use an extended high-gain observer of dimension n+1, where n is the relative degree. The observer estimates n derivatives of the tracking error, of which the first (n-1) derivatives are states of the plant in the normal form and the nth derivative estimates the perturbation due to model uncertainty and disturbance. The controller cancels the perturbation estimate and implements a feedback control law, designed for the nominal linear model that would have been obtained by feedback linearization had all the nonlinearities been known and the signals been available. We prove that the closed-loop system under the observer-based controller recovers the performance of the nominal linear model as the observer gain becomes sufficiently high. Moreover, we prove that the controller has an integral action property in that it ensures regulation of the tracking error to zero in the presence of constant nonvanishing perturbation.

Stabilization of Networked Control Systems With a New Delay Characterization

Abstract: This paper presents a new approach to solving the problem of stabilization for networked control systems. Mean-square asymptotic stability is derived for the closed-loop networked control systems, and based on this, a controller design procedure is proposed for stabilization purpose. An inverted pendulum system is utilized to show the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed results.

Design and Analysis of a Novel ${\cal L}_1$ Adaptive Control Architecture With Guaranteed Transient Performance

Abstract: This paper presents a novel adaptive control architecture that adapts fast and ensures uniformly bounded transient response for system's both signals, input and output, simultaneously. This new architecture has a low-pass filter in the feedback loop and relies on the small-gain theorem for the proof of asymptotic stability. The tools from this paper can be used to develop a theoretically justified verification and validation framework for adaptive systems. Simulations illustrate the theoretical findings.

Multi-Agent Coordination by Decentralized Estimation and Control

Abstract: We describe a framework for the design of collective behaviors for groups of identical mobile agents. The approach is based on decentralized simultaneous estimation and control, where each agent communicates with neighbors and estimates the global performance properties of the swarm needed to make a local control decision. Challenges of the approach include designing a control law with desired convergence properties, assuming each agent has perfect global knowledge; designing an estimator that allows each agent to make correct estimates of the global properties needed to implement the controller; and possibly modifying the controller to recover desired convergence properties when using the estimates of global performance. We apply this framework to the problem of controlling the moment statistics describing the location and shape of a swarm. We derive conditions which guarantee that the formation statistics are driven to desired values, even in the presence of a changing network topology.

Nonquadratic Stabilization Conditions for a Class of Uncertain Nonlinear Discrete Time TS Fuzzy Models: A New Approach

Abstract: The discrete-time uncertain nonlinear models are considered in a Takagi-Sugeno form and their stabilization is studied through a non- quadratic Lyapunov function. The classical conditions consider a one- sample variation, here, the main results are obtained considering k samples variation, i.e., Deltak V(x(t)) = V(x(t + k)) - V(x(t)). The results are shown to always include the classical cases, and several examples illustrate the effectiveness of the approach.

Cooperative Control of Multiple Nonholonomic Mobile Agents

Abstract: This paper considers two cooperative control problems for nonholonomic mobile agents. In the first problem, we discuss the design of cooperative control laws such that a group of nonholonomic mobile agents cooperatively converges to some stationary point under various communication scenarios. Dynamic control laws for each agent are proposed with the aid of sigma-processes and results from graph theory. In the second problem, we discuss the design of cooperative control laws such that a group of mobile agents converges to and tracks a target point which moves along a desired trajectory under various communication scenarios. By introducing suitable variable transformations, cooperative control laws are proposed. Since communication delay is inevitable in cooperative control, in each of the above cooperative control problems, we analyze the effect of delayed communication on the proposed controllers. As applications of the proposed results, formation control of wheeled mobile robots is discussed. It is shown that our results can be successfully used to solve formation control problem. To show effectiveness of the proposed approach, simulation results are included.

Stability Robustness of a Feedback Interconnection of Systems With Negative Imaginary Frequency Response

Abstract: A necessary and sufficient condition, expressed simply as the dc loop gain (i.e., the loop gain at zero frequency) being less than unity, is given in this note to guarantee the internal stability of a feedback interconnection of linear time-invariant (LTI) multiple-input multiple-output systems with negative imaginary frequency response. Systems with negative imaginary frequency response arise, for example, when considering transfer functions from force actuators to colocated position sensors, and are commonly important in, for example, lightly damped structures. The key result presented here has similar application to the small-gain theorem, which refers to the stability of feedback interconnections of contractive gain systems, and the passivity theorem, which refers to the stability of feedback interconnections of positive real (or passive) systems. A complete state-space characterization of systems with negative imaginary frequency response is also given in this note and also an example that demonstrates the application of the key result is provided.

Control by Interconnection and Standard Passivity-Based Control of Port-Hamiltonian Systems

Abstract: The dynamics of many physical processes can be suitably described by Port-Hamiltonian (PH) models, where the importance of the energy function, the interconnection pattern and the dissipation of the system is underscored. To regulate the behavior of PH systems it is natural to adopt a Passivity-Based Control (PBC) perspective, where the control objectives are achieved shaping the energy function and adding dissipation. In this paper we consider the PBC techniques of Control by Interconnection (CbI) and Standard PBC. In CbI the controller is another PH system connected to the plant (through a power-preserving interconnection) to add up their energy functions, while in Standard PBC energy shaping is achieved via static state feedback. In spite of the conceptual appeal of formulating the control problem as the interaction of dynamical systems, the current version of CbI imposes a severe restriction on the plant dissipation structure that stymies its practical application. On the other hand, Standard PBC, which is usually derived from a uninspiring and non-intuitive ldquopassive output generationrdquo viewpoint, is one of the most successful controller design techniques. The main objectives of this paper are: (1) To extend the CbI method to make it more widely applicable-in particular, to overcome the aforementioned dissipation obstacle. (2) To show that various popular variants of Standard PBC can be derived proceeding from a unified perspective. (3) To establish the connections between CbI and Standard PBC proving that the latter is obtained restricting the former to a suitable subset-providing a nice geometric interpretation to Standard PBC-and comparing the size of the set of PH plants for which they are applicable.

Controllability of a Leader–Follower Dynamic Network With Switching Topology

Abstract: This note studies the controllability of a leader-follower network of dynamic agents linked via neighbor rules. The leader is a particular agent acting as an external input to steer the other member agents. Based on switched control system theory, we derive a simple controllability condition for the network with switching topology, which indicates that the controllability of the whole network does not need to rely on that of the network for every specific topology. This merit provides convenience and flexibility in design and application of multiagent networks. For the fixed topology case, we show that the network is uncontrollable whenever the leader has an unbiased action on every member, regardless of the connectivity of the members themselves. This gives new insight into the relation between the controllability and the connectivity of the leader-follower network. We also give a formula for formation control of the network.

Unit Quaternion-Based Output Feedback for the Attitude Tracking Problem

Abstract: In this note, we propose a quaternion-based dynamic output feedback for the attitude tracking problem of a rigid body without velocity measurement. Our approach consists of introducing an auxiliary dynamical system whose output (which is also a unit quaternion) is used in the control law together with the unit quaternion representing the attitude tracking error. Roughly speaking, the necessary damping that would have been achieved by the direct use of the angular velocity can be achieved, in our approach, by the vector part \mathtilde q of the error signal between the output of the auxiliary system and the unit quaternion tracking error. The resulting velocity-free control scheme guarantees almost global asymptotic stability which is as strong as the topology of the motion space can permit. In the regulation case, our control law is a pure quaternion feedback (i.e., consisting of two terms that are vector parts of unit-quaternion), and hence, the control torques are naturally bounded by the control gains. Simulation results are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.

Finite-Time Semistability and Consensus for Nonlinear Dynamical Networks

Abstract: This paper focuses on semistability and finite-time stability analysis and synthesis of systems having a continuum of equilibria. Semistability is the property whereby the solutions of a dynamical system converge to Lyapunov stable equilibrium points determined by the system initial conditions. In this paper, we merge the theories of semistability and finite-time stability to develop a rigorous framework for finite-time semistability. In particular, finite-time semistability for a continuum of equilibria of continuous autonomous systems is established. Continuity of the settling-time function as well as Lyapunov and converse Lyapunov theorems for semistability are also developed. In addition, necessary and sufficient conditions for finite-time semistability of homogeneous systems are addressed by exploiting the fact that a homogeneous system is finite-time semistable if and only if it is semistable and has a negative degree of homogeneity. Unlike previous work on homogeneous systems, our results involve homogeneity with respect to semistable dynamics, and require us to adopt a geometric description of homogeneity. Finally, we use these results to develop a general framework for designing semistable protocols in dynamical networks for achieving coordination tasks in finite time.

Output Feedback Stabilization for a Discrete-Time System With a Time-Varying Delay

Abstract: This study employs the free-weighting matrix approach to investigate the output feedback control of a linear discrete-time system with an interval time-varying delay. First, the delay-dependent stability is analyzed using a new method of estimating the upper bound on the difference of a Lyapunov function without ignoring any terms; and based on the results, a design criterion for a static output feedback (SOF) controller is derived. Since the conditions thus obtained for the existence of admissible controllers are not expressed strictly in terms of linear matrix inequalities, a modified cone complementarity linearization algorithm is employed to solve the nonconvex feasibility SOF control problem. Furthermore, the problem of designing a dynamic output feedback controller is formulated as one of designing an SOF controller. Numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the method and its advantage over existing methods.

Distributed LQR Design for Identical Dynamically Decoupled Systems

Abstract: We consider a set of identical decoupled dynamical systems and a control problem where the performance index couples the behavior of the systems The coupling is described through a communication graph where each system is a node and the control action at each node is only function of its state and the states of its neighbors A distributed control design method is presented which requires the solution of a single linear quadratic regulator (LQR) problem The size of the LQR problem is equal to the maximum vertex degree of the communication graph plus one The design procedure proposed in this paper illustrates how stability of the large-scale system is related to the robustness of local controllers and the spectrum of a matrix representing the desired sparsity pattern of the distributed controller design problem

Dynamic Output Feedback Control of Switched Linear Systems

Abstract: This paper is devoted to stability analysis and control design of switched linear systems in both continuous and discrete-time domains. A particular class of matrix inequalities, the so-called Lyapunov--Metzler inequalities, provides conditions for open-loop stability analysis and closed-loop switching control using state and output feedback. Switched linear systems are analyzed in a general framework by introducing a quadratic in the state cost determined from a series of impulse perturbations. Lower bounds on the cost associated with the optimal switching control strategy are derived from the determination of a feasible solution to the Hamilton--Jacobi--Bellman inequality. An upper bound on the optimal cost associated with a closed-loop stabilizing switching strategy is provided as well. The solution of the output feedback problem is based on the construction of a full-order linear switched filter whose state variable is used by the mechanism for the determination of the switching rule. Throughout, the theoretical results are illustrated by means of academic examples. A realistic practical application related to the optimal control of semiactive suspensions in road vehicles is reported.

A New $H_{{\bm \infty}}$ Stabilization Criterion for Networked Control Systems

Abstract: This note is concerned with robust Hinfin control of linear networked control systems with time-varying network-induced delay and data packet dropout. A new Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, which makes use of the information of both the lower and upper bounds of the time-varying network-induced delay, is proposed to drive a new delay-dependent Hinfin stabilization criterion. The criterion is formulated in the form of a non-convex matrix inequality, of which a feasible solution can be obtained by solving a minimization problem in terms of linear matrix inequalities. In order to obtain much less conservative results, a tighter bounding for some term is estimated. Moreover, no slack variable is introduced. Finally, two numerical examples are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed design method.