Observer-based adaptive fuzzy finite-time prescribed performance tracking control for strict-feedback systems with input dead-zone and saturation

This paper considers the problems of finite-time prescribed performance tracking control for a class of strict-feedback nonlinear systems with input dead-zone and saturation simultaneously. The unknown nonlinear functions are approximated by fuzzy logic systems and the unmeasurable states are estimated by designing a fuzzy state observer. In addition, a non-affine smooth function is used to approximate the non-smooth input dead-zone and saturated nonlinearity, and it is varied to the affine form via the mean value theorem. An adaptive fuzzy output feedback controller is developed by backstepping control method and Nussbaum gain method. It guarantees that the tracking error falls within a pre-set boundary at finite time and all the signals of the closed-loop system are bounded. The simulation results illustrate the feasibility of the design scheme.

     

Finite-time prescribed performance control of MEMS gyroscopes

This paper addresses the finite-time prescribed performance control of MEMS gyroscopes. From the perspective of practical engineering, this paper arranges the desirable transient and steady-state performances according to the engineering requirements in the controller design procedure. For the tracking performance, prescribed performance control is studied to limited the steady-state error and the maximum overshoot. For the prescribed settling time, super-twisting sliding mode control and nonsingular terminal sliding mode control are employed to achieve finite-time convergence, respectively. The system stability is verified via Lyapunov approach. Through simulation tests, it is demonstrated that prescribed performance and finite-time convergence can be obtained under the proposed control scheme.

     

Velocity-based tuning of degree of homogeneity for finite-time stabilization and fault tolerant control of an ROV in the presence of thruster saturation and rate limits

This paper introduces a homogeneous controller along a fixed-time state and fault observer for finite-time stabilization and fault accommodation of a remotely-operated vehicle in the presence of actuator saturation and rate limits. For this, a novel tuning algorithm is improvised for manipulating the degree of homogeneity in homogeneous controllers to effectively acquire different properties from the overall control system. The tuning of degree of homogeneity is based on vehicle’s velocity. The proposed algorithm results in a switching-type controller, which undergoes three different stages during the operation, to eliminate the sensitivity of conventional finite-time and fixed-time controllers to large initial errors in the presence of thruster constraints. In addition, a new fixed-time fault and state observer is designed for the realization of output feedback control and fault tolerance by combining a fixed-time state observer with a fault estimation unit. In contrast to conventional extended-state observers, this observer considers the dynamics of the thruster system in its formulation so that better performance can be provided for the control system upon thruster failures. Control allocation is utilized to accommodate thruster failures and faults and to take account of thruster saturation and rate limits. Stability analyses are carried out for the overall control system and the proposed observer. It is shown that the closed-loop control system would be globally finite-time stable. The state estimation subsystem is fixed-time stable and the fault estimation unit is input-to-state stable. Simulations are carried out and comparisons are made with several finite-time and fixed-time controllers to outline the advantages of the proposed homogeneous controller and the benefits of the overall fault-tolerant control system.

     

Noise-to-state finite-time practical stability for random nonlinear systems and its application in random Lagrange systems

The noise-to-state finite-time practical stability for random nonlinear systems and its application is studied in this paper. The definition of noise-to-state finite-time practical stability is firstly introduced in probability sense for random nonlinear systems. Next, the related stability criterion is also given by Lyapunov approach. For random benchmark system, the finite-time adaptive tracking control problem is investigated by the vectorial backstepping method and the obtained stability theorem. Simulation example illustrates that the constructed controller design scheme is effective and feasible.

     

Event-triggered finite-time resilient control for switched systems: an observer-based approach and its applications to a boost converter circuit system model

Under an event-triggered communication scheme (ETCS), this note focuses on the observer-based finite-time resilient control problem for a class of switched systems. Different from the existing finite-time problems, not only the problem of finite-time boundedness (FTBs) but also the problem of input-output finite-time stability (IO-FTSy) are considered in this paper. To effectively use the network resources, an ETCS is formulated for switched systems. Considering that not all the states could be measured, thus an event-triggered observer is constructed, and then, an observer-based resilient controller is devised, which robustly stabilizes the given systems in the meaning of finite-time control. Based on time-delay method and Lyapunov functional approach, interesting results are derived to verify the properties of the FTBs and the IO-FTSy of the event-triggered (ET) closed-loop error switched systems. All the matrix inequalities can be converted to linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) so as to simultaneously obtain the controller gain and observer gain. Finally, the applicability of the proposed control scheme is verified via a boost converter circuit system.     

Distributed time-varying formation tracking of multi-quadrotor systems with partial aperiodic sampled data

In this article, a distributed formation tracking controller is proposed for Multi-agent systems (MAS) consisting of quadrotors. It is considered that each quadrotor in the MAS only shares its translation position information with its neighbors. Moreover, position information is transmitted at nonuniform and asynchronous time instants. The control system is divided into an outer-loop for the position control and an inner-loop for the attitude control. A continuous-discrete time observer is used in the outer-loop to estimate both position and velocity of the quadrotor and its neighbors using discrete position information it receives. Then, these estimated states are used to design the position controller in order to enable quadrotors to generate the required geometric shape. A finite-time attitude controller is designed to track the desired attitude as dictated by the position controller. Finally, a closed-loop stability analysis of the overall system including nonlinear coupling is performed.

     

Prescribed-time adaptive neural tracking control for a class of uncertain robotic manipulators with dead zone input

This paper solves the prescribed-time control problem for a class of robotic manipulators with system uncertainty and dead zone input. To make the system stable within a given convergence time T, a novel prescribed-time adaptive neural tracking controller is proposed by using the temporal scale transformation method and Lyapunov stability theory. Unlike the finite-time and the fixed-time stability where the convergence time depends on the controller parameters, the convergence time constant T is introduced into the proposed controller so that the closed-loop system will be stable within T. To cope with the system uncertainty, radial basis function neural networks (RBFNNs) are used and only need to update one parameter online. In addition, by choosing the same structure and parameters of RBFNNs, the proposed method can shorten the convergence time of the neural networks. Finally, simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the prescribed-time controller.

     

Robust finite-time tracking for a square fully actuated class of nonlinear systems

In this paper, the robust finite-time tracking problem is addressed for a square fully actuated class of nonlinear systems subjected to disturbances and uncertainties. Firstly, two applicable lemmas are derived and novel nonlinear sliding surfaces (manifolds) are defined by applying these lemmas. Secondly, by developing the nonsingular terminal sliding mode control, two different types of robust nonlinear control inputs are designed to meet and accomplish the aforementioned finite-time tracking objective. The global finite-time stability of the closed-loop nonlinear system is evaluated analytically and mathematically. The proposed control inputs are utilized to tackle and solve two interesting issues containing (a): the finite-time tracking problem of the unified chaotic system and (b): the finite-time synchronization of two non-identical hyperchaotic systems. Finally, based on MATLAB software, two numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate and demonstrate the effectiveness and performance of the proposed robust finite-time nonlinear control schemes.

     

Finite-time command-filtered approximation-free attitude tracking control of rigid spacecraft

In this paper, a finite-time command-filtered approximation-free attitude tracking control strategy is proposed for rigid spacecraft. A novel finite-time prescribed performance function is first constructed to ensure that the attitude tracking errors converge to the predefined region in finite time. Then, a finite-time error compensation mechanism is constructed and incorporated into the backstepping control design, such that the differentiation of virtual control signals in recursive steps can be avoided to overcome the singularity issue. Compared with most of approximation-based attitude control methods, less computational burden and lower complexity are guaranteed by the proposed approximation-free control scheme due to the avoidance of using any function approximations. Simulations are given to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed method.

     

Adaptive control for discontinuous variable-order fractional systems with disturbances

This paper deals with the global asymptotic stabilization and finite-time stabilization issues for variable-order fractional systems with partial a priori bounded disturbances by designing an appropriate adaptive controller. Via the inductive method and Arzela-Ascoli theorem, the existence and uniqueness of the solution for the considered system is firstly verified under the proposed control strategy. By applying Lyapunov stability theory, non-smooth analysis and inequality technique, sufficient stabilization criteria are established under the framework of variable-order fractional Filippov differential inclusion. Finally, two numerical simulations are given to demonstrate the validity of the proposed method.

     

Numerical analyses and experimental validations of coexisting multiple attractors in Hopfield neural network

In this paper, a finite-time controller is proposed for the quadrotor aircraft to achieve hovering control in a finite time. The design of controller is mainly divided into two steps. Firstly, a saturated finite-time position controller is designed such that the position of quadrotor aircraft can reach any desired position in a finite time. Secondly, a finite-time attitude tracking controller is designed, which can guarantee that the attitude of quadrotor aircraft converges to the desired attitude in a finite time. By homogenous system theory and Lyapunov theory, the finite-time stability of the closed-loop systems is given through rigorous mathematical proofs. Finally, numerical simulations are given to show that the proposed algorithm has a faster convergence performance and a stronger disturbance rejection performance by comparing to the PD control algorithm.     

Finite-time consensus of nonlinear multi-agent systems via impulsive time window theory: a two-stage control strategy

This paper concentrates on the finite-time consensus problem faced by nonlinear multi-agent systems (MASs) via impulsive time window theory with a two-stage control (TSC) strategy. The TSC strategy divides the whole control period into two parts: a variable impulsive control stage and a finite-time consensus control stage. Different from general single-stage control, TSC can dynamically adjust the time periods of impulsive control and finite-time control according to practical application requirements. Variable impulsive control is also discussed in this paper. Compared with the sampling based on traditional fixed impulsive theory, impulsive sampling in the TSC strategy occurs randomly within an impulsive time window and provides much more flexibility. In addition, a switching topology scheme is introduced in this paper to strengthen the stability of MASs. Finally, two numerical simulation examples (one leaderless case and one leader-following case) are used for the theoretical analysis.

     

Finite-time chaos control of unified chaotic systems with uncertain parameters

This paper is concerned with finite-time chaos control of unified chaotic systems with uncertain parameters. Based on the finite-time stability theory in the cascade-connected system, a nonlinear control law is presented to achieve finite-time chaos control. The controller is simple and easy to be constructed. Simulation results for Lorenz, Lü, and Chen chaotic systems are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 60674024).     

A general nonlinear adaptive control scheme for finite-time synchronization of chaotic systems with uncertain parameters and nonlinear inputs

In this paper, the problem of finite-time chaos synchronization between two different uncertain chaotic systems with unknown parameters and input nonlinearities is investigated. It is assumed that both master and slave systems are perturbed by unknown model uncertainties, external disturbances, and fully unknown parameters. Proper update laws are proposed to estimate the systems?? unknown parameters. Based on the update laws and finite-time control technique, a robust adaptive controller is introduced to guarantee the convergence of the slave system trajectories to the trajectories of the master system in a given finite time. Two illustrative examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed finite-time controller and to validate the theoretical results of the paper.     

A novel terminal sliding mode controller for a class of non-autonomous fractional-order systems

This paper introduces a finite-time control technique for control of a class of non-autonomous fractional-order nonlinear systems in the presence of system uncertainties and external noises. It is known that finite-time control methods demonstrate better robustness and disturbance rejection properties. Moreover, finite time control methods have optimal settling time. In order to design a robust finite-time controller, a new nonsingular terminal sliding manifold is proposed. The proposed sliding mode dynamics has the property of fast convergence to zero. Afterwards, a novel fractional sliding mode control law is introduced to guarantee the occurrence of the sliding motion in finite time. The convergence times of both reaching and sliding phases are estimated. The main characteristics of the proposed fractional sliding mode technique are (1) finite-time convergence to the origin; (2) the use of only one control input; (3) robustness against system uncertainties and external noises; and (4) the ability of control of non-autonomous fractional-order systems. At the end of this paper, some computer simulations are included to highlight the applicability and efficacy of the proposed fractional control method.     

Finite-time output feedback control for a class of second-order nonlinear systems with application to DC–DC buck converters

The problem of output feedback control for a class of second-order nonlinear systems is investigated in this paper. Using the techniques of finite-time control and finite-time convergent observer, an observer-based finite-time output feedback controller is proposed which can guarantee that the system’s state converges to the equilibrium in a finite time. As an application of the proposed theoretical results, the problem of finite-time control without current signal for the DC–DC buck converters is solved. Simulation results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Modeling and active control of chatter vibrations of piezoelectric stacked machining arm in micro-turning process

Self-excited vibrations known as chatter are considered as the most detrimental issue in micro-turning processes. Occurring unpredictably, they adversely affect the tool life, productivity rate and surface quality of the machining processes. In this paper, a novel machining arm is modeled as a piezoelectric stacked rod which is subjected to a chatter force in the orthogonal micro-turning process. Due to the fact that machining processes are affected by various sources of uncertainties, H_∞ robust control approach is used to suppress the chatter vibrations of the machining arm in the presence of tool wear and dynamic model parameter variations. Also, input control force of the system is provided by exciting the input voltage of piezoelectric layers of the rod. In order to be certain that the designed controller succeeds in suppressing vibrations of the effective structural modes, behavior of the first three modes of vibrations are considered in the final response of the machining arm. In the following, performance of the robust H_∞ controller is compared with a modified PID controller. Simulation results show that the H_∞ controller improves the robustness and performance of the system against uncertainties. The PID controller extends the stability region of the sharp tool and fails to achieve this purpose for the worn tool although its performance is acceptable in suppressing chatter vibrations.

     

A switching fractional calculus-based controller for normal non-linear dynamical systems

In this paper, a fractional calculus-based terminal sliding mode controller is introduced for finite-time control of non-autonomous non-linear dynamical systems in the canonical form. A fractional terminal switching manifold which is appropriate for canonical integer-order systems is firstly designed. Then some conditions are provided to avoid the inherent singularities of the conventional terminal sliding manifolds. A non-smooth Lyapunov function is adopted to prove the finite time stability and convergence of the sliding mode dynamics. Afterward, based on the sliding mode control theory, an equivalent control and a discontinuous control law are designed to guarantee the occurrence of the sliding motion in finite time. The proposed control scheme uses only one control input to stabilize the system. The proposed controller is also robust against system uncertainties and external disturbances. Two illustrative examples show the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed fractional finite-time control strategy. It is worth noting that the proposed sliding mode controller can be applied for control and stabilization of a large class of non-autonomous non-linear uncertain canonical systems.     

Controller design for fractional-order interconnected systems with unmodeled dynamics

This paper focuses on the output feedback tracking control for fractional-order interconnected systems with unmodeled dynamics. The reduced order high gain K-filters are designed to construct the estimation of the unavailable system state. Unmodeled dynamics is extended to the general fractional-order dynamical systems for the first time which is characterized by introducing a dynamical signal r(t). An adaptive output feedback controller is established using the fractional-order Lyapunov methods and proposed by novel dynamic surface control strategy. Then, it is confirmed that the considered system is semi-globally bounded stable and the errors between outputs and the desired trajectories can concentrate to a small neighborhood of the origin. Finally, a simulation example is introduced to demonstrate the correctness of the supplied controller.

     

Adaptive finite-time stabilization of uncertain non-autonomous chaotic electromechanical gyrostat systems with unknown parameters

This paper deals with the problem of robust finite-time stabilization of non-autonomous chaotic gyrostat systems. It is assumed that the parameters of the gyrostat system are completely unknown in advance and the system is perturbed by unknown uncertainties and disturbances. Some update laws are proposed to estimate the unknown parameters. Based on the finite-time control idea and the update laws, appropriate control laws are designed to ensure the stabilization of the closed-loop system in a finite time. The finite-time stability and convergence of the closed-loop system are analytically proved. A numerical simulation is given to demonstrate the applicability and robustness of the proposed finite-time controller and to verify the theoretical results.