Controllability of Discrete-Time Multi-Agent Systems with Multiple Leaders on Fixed Networks

This paper investigates controllability of discrete-time multi-agent systems with multiple leaders on fixed networks. The leaders are particular agents playing a part in external inputs to steer other member agents. The followers can arrive at any predetermined configuration by regulating the behaviors of the leaders. Some sufficient and necessary conditions are proposed for the controllability of discrete-time multi-agent systems with multiple leaders. Moreover, the case with isolated agents is discussed. Numerical examples and simulations are proposed to illustrate the theoretical results we established.     

Controllability of Discrete-Time Multi-Agent Systems with Multiple Leaders on Fixed Networks

This paper investigates controllability of discrete-time multi-agent systems with multiple leaders on fixed networks. The leaders are particular agents playing a part in external inputs to steer other member agents. The followers can arrive at any predetermined configuration by regulating the behaviors of the leaders. Some sufficient and necessary conditions are proposed for the controllability of discrete-time multi-agent systems with multiple leaders. Moreover, the case with isolated agents is discussed. Numerical examples and simulations are proposed to illustrate the theoretical results we established.     

Flocking in Multi-Agent Systems with Multiple Virtual Leaders Based Only on Position Measurements

Most existing flocking algorithms assume one single virtual leader and rely on information on both relative positions and relative velocities among neighboring agents. In this paper, the problem of controlling a flock of mobile autonomous agents to follow multiple virtual leaders is investigated by using only position information in the sense that agents with the same virtual leader asymptotically attain the same velocity and track the corresponding virtual leader based on only position measurements. A flocking algorithm is proposed under which every agent asymptotically attains its desired velocity, collision between agents can be avoided, and the final tight formation minimizes all agents' global potentials. A simulation example is presented to verify and illustrate the theoretical results.     

Dynamical Consensus Algorithm for Second-Order Multi-Agent Systems Subjected to Communication Delay

To solve the dynamical consensus problem of second-order multi-agent systems with communication delay,delay-dependent compensations are added into the normal asynchronously-coupled consensus algorithm so as to make the agents achieve a dynamical consensus. Based on frequency-domain analysis, sufficient conditions are gained for second-order multi-agent systems with communication delay under leaderless and leader-following consensus algorithms respectively. Simulation illustrates the correctness of the results.     

Tracking Consensus for Second-Order Multi-Agent Systems with Nonlinear Dynamics in Noisy Environments

This paper investigates the leader-following tracking consensus problem for second-order multi-agent systems with time delays and nonlinear dynamics in noisy environments on the conditions of fixed and switching directed topologies. Based on a novel velocity decomposition technique and stochastic analysis, a measurement-based distributed tracking control protocol is proposed, under which all agents can track the leader in mean square. Simulation results are also given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed protocol.     

Second-Order Consensus of Multiple Agents with Coupling Delay

In this paper, we investigate two kinds of second-order consensus algorithms for multiple agents with coupling delay under general fixed directed information topology. Stability analysis is performed based on Lyapunov- Krasovskii functional method. Delay-dependent asymptotical stability condition in terms of linear matrix inequalities （LMIs） is derived for the second-order consensus algorithm of delayed dynamical networks. Both delay-independent and delay-dependent asymptotical stability conditions in terms of LMIs are derived for the second-order consensus algorithm with information feedback.     

Hamilton–Jacobi Treatment of Constrained Systems with Second-Order Lagrangians

A new approach is examined in this paper for solving mechanical problems for both constrained and unconstrained systems with second-order Lagrangians, using the Hamilton–Jacobi formulation. The relevant Hamilton–Jacobi function is constructed first. This is then used to determine the solutions of the equations of motion for both systems.     

Robust Consensus of Multi-Agent Systems with Uncertain Exogenous Disturbances

The objective of this paper is to investigate the consensus of the multi-agent systems with nonlinear coupling function and external disturbances. The disturbance includes two parts, one part is supposed to be generated by an exogenous system, which is not required to be neutrally stable as in the output
regulation theory, the other part is the modeling uncertainty in the exogenous disturbance system. A novel composite disturbance observer based control (DOBC) and H_∝ control scheme is presented so that the disturbance with the exogenous system can be estimated and compensated and the consensus of the multi-agent systems with fixed and switching graph can be reached by using H_∝ control law. Simulations demonstrate the advantages of the proposed DOBC and H_∝ control scheme.     

Quasi-Consensus of Time-Varying Multi-Agent Systems with External Inputs under Deception Attacks

The quasi-consensus of a class of nonlinear time-varying multi-agent systems suffering from both external inputs and deception attacks is studied in this paper. This is different from a time-varying matrix, which is assumed to be bounded; further reasonable assumptions are supposed. In addition, impulsive deception attacks modeled with Bernoulli variables are considered. Sufficient conditions to achieve quasi-consensus are given, and the upper bounds of the error state related to the deception attacks is derived. Finally, a numerical simulation example is provided to show the validity of the obtained results.     

Coordinated Control of Multi-Agent Systems with a Varying-Velocity Leader and Input Saturation

In this paper, we investigate a leader-following tracking problem for multi-agent systems with bounded inputs. We propose a distributed bounded protocol for each follower to track a leader whose states may not be completely measured. We theoretically prove that each agent can follow the leader with estimable track errors. Finally, some numerical simulations are presented to illustrate our theoretical results.     

Second-Order Consensus of Multiple Agents with Bounded Control Inputs and Preserved Network Connectivity

This paper investigates second-order consensus of multi-agent systems with a virtual leader of varying velocity while preserving network connectivity.We propose a novel second-order consensus algorithm with bounded control inputs.Under the condition that the initial network is connected,the network will be connected all the time and all agents and the virtual leader can attain the same position and move with the same velocity.A simulation example is proposed to illustrate the effective of the proposed algorithm.     

Coordinated Control of Multi-Agent Systems with a Varying-Velocity Leader and Input Saturation

In this paper, we investigate a leader-following tracking problem for multi-agent systems with bounded inputs. We propose a distributed bounded protocol for each follower to track a leader whose states may not be completely measured. We theoretically prove that each agent can follow the leader with estimable track errors. Finally, some numerical simulations are presented to illustrate our theoretical results.     

Event-Triggered Fixed-Time Integral Sliding Mode Control for Nonlinear Multi-Agent Systems with Disturbances

In this paper, the leader-following consensus problem of first-order nonlinear multi-agent systems (FONMASs) with external disturbances is studied. Firstly, a novel distributed fixed-time sliding mode manifold is designed and a new static event-triggered protocol over general directed graph is proposed which can well suppress the external disturbances and make the FONMASs achieve leader-following consensus in fixed-time. Based on fixed-time stability theory and inequality technique, the conditions to be satisfied by the control parameters are obtained and the Zeno behavior can be avoided. In addition, we improve the proposed protocol and propose a new event-triggering strategy for the FONMASs with multiple leaders. The systems can reach the sliding mode surface and achieve containment control in fixed-time if the control parameters are designed carefully. Finally, several numerical simulations are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed protocols.     

Containment Control for First-Order Multi-Agent Systems with Time-Varying Delays and Uncertain Topologies

Containment control of first-order multi-agent systems with uncertain topologies and communication time-delays is studied. Suppose system topologies are dynamically changed, a containment control algorithm with time-varying delays is presented. The stability of the control algorithm is studied under the assumption that communication topologies are jointly-connected, and constraint condition of distributed containment control for delayed multi-agent systems is derived with the aid of Lyapunov-Krasovskii function. Simulation results are provided to prove the correctness and effectiveness of the conclusion.     

Cluster-Delay Mean Square Consensus of Stochastic Multi-Agent Systems with Impulse Time Windows

This paper investigates the cluster-delay mean square consensus problem of a class of first-order nonlinear stochastic multi-agent systems with impulse time windows. Specifically, on the one hand, we have applied a discrete control mechanism (i.e., impulsive control) into the system instead of a continuous one, which has the advantages of low control cost, high convergence speed; on the other hand, we considered the existence of impulse time windows when modeling the system, that is, a single impulse appears randomly within a time window rather than an ideal fixed position. In addition, this paper also considers the influence of stochastic disturbances caused by fluctuations in the external environment. Then, based on algebraic graph theory and Lyapunov stability theory, some sufficiency conditions that the system must meet to reach the consensus state are given. Finally, we designed a simulation example to verify the feasibility of the obtained results.     

A New Topology-Switching Strategy for Fault Diagnosis of Multi-Agent Systems Based on Belief Rule Base

Effective fault-diagnosis strategies have been the focus of research on multi-agent systems (MASs). In this paper, the belief rule base (BRB)-based distributed fault-diagnosis problem for MASs is investigated, and a topology-switching strategy is developed to increase the reliability of fault-diagnosis model. Firstly, a BRB-based distributed fault-diagnosis model is constructed for the MAS with multiple faults, then expert knowledge is used to judge whether the agent is faulty. Then, considering that the system may be influenced by the fault or some other factors and thus leading to a decrease in the accuracy of the fault-diagnosis results, a topology-switching strategy based on the average distance of the output diagnosis accuracy is proposed to update the topology of the agent so that the fault-diagnosis results can be more reliable. Note that the topology-switching threshold is designed based on the average distance between the accuracy of the fault diagnosis of each agent. The method proposed in this paper can solve the problem when the fault-diagnosis accuracy of the model is affected by some common factors and thus decreases, and can improve the reliability of the fault-diagnosis model very well. Finally, the effectiveness of the BRB-based distributed fault-diagnosis model and the proposed topology-switching strategy to improve the fault-diagnosis accuracy is verified by simulation examples.     

Fixed-Time Leader-Following Consensus Tracking Control for Nonliear Multi-Agent Systems under Jointly Connected Graph

This paper researches the fixed-time leader-following consensus problem for nonlinear multi-agent systems (MASs) affected by unknown disturbances under the jointly connected graph. In order to achieve control goal, this paper designs a fixed-time consensus protocol, which can offset the unknown disturbances and the nonlinear item under the jointly connected graph, simultaneously. In this paper, the states of multiple followers can converge to the state of the leader within a fixed time regardless of the initial conditions rather than just converging to a small neighborhood near the leader state. Finally, a simulation example is given to illustrate the theoretical result.     

Hamilton–Jacobi Quantization of Constrained Systems with Second-Order Lagrangians

We investigate the path-integral quantization of constrained systems with second-order Lagrangians using the Hamilton-Jacobi method. The path-integral quantization for two models is obtained using the canonical path-integral method.     

Integral Non-Singular Terminal Sliding Mode Consensus Control for Multi-Agent Systems with Disturbance and Actuator Faults Based on Finite-Time Observer

This paper studies the consensus fault-tolerant control problem of a class of second-order leader–follower multi-agent systems with unknown disturbance and actuator faults, and proposes an integral non-singular terminal sliding mode control algorithm based on a finite-time observer. First, a finite-time disturbance observer was designed based on a combination of high-order sliding mode and dual layers adaptive rules to realize fast estimation and compensation of disturbance and faults. Then, a sliding surface with additional integral links was designed based on the conventional sliding surface, and an integral non-singular terminal sliding mode controller is proposed to realize the robust consensus in finite time and accurately diminish the chattering phenomena. Finally, a numerical example and simulation verify the effectiveness.