Disturbance-Observer-Based U-Control (DOBUC) for Nonlinear Dynamic Systems

U-model, which is a control-oriented model set with the property of generally facilitate nonlinearity dynamic inversion/cancellation, has been introduced to the Disturbance Observer-Based control (DOBC) methods to improve the performance of the nonlinear systems in this paper. A general DOB based U-Control (DOBUC) framework is proposed to improve the disturbance attenuation capability of U-controller for both linear and nonlinear systems combined with (based on) the U-model-based dynamic inversion which expands the classical linear disturbance observer control to general nonlinear systems. The proposed two-step DOBUC design procedures in which the design of DOB and U-controller are totally independent and separated, enables the establishment of global exponential stability without being subject to disturbances and uncertainties. Comparative simulation experiments with Nonlinear DOBC in controlling Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS) and Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM) demonstrated the proposed method.

A non-linear disturbance observer-based cooperative adaptive cruise control for real traffic scenarios

Cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC) has a strong potential to improvise highway traffic capacity and ease traffic disturbances. Extensive exploration is not carried out in the area of CACC for a cut-in maneuver. Contemporary control strategies proposed for CACC cannot regulate the peaking of control input and thus the acceleration/deceleration of following vehicles when applied for various real traffic scenarios. This paper aims to develop a non-linear disturbance observer-based sliding mode control to control a CACC system for various traffic scenarios. The proposed observer estimates the uncertainty present in the actuator dynamics and the preceding vehicle’s acceleration as the lumped disturbance at the same time, it adjusts the observer gain to alleviate the peaking of control input. The stability of individual vehicles and the string stability of vehicle platoon are derived The performance of the proposed scheme is validated with various traffic scenarios, that is, cut-in maneuver, cut-out maneuver, and non-zero initial conditions. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is demonstrated by comparing it with a linear disturbance observer-based control.

A frequency domain comparison of disturbance observer based control schemes

In this article, an analysis and synthesis of widely used linear disturbance observer based robust control approaches are presented. The main objective of this article is to provide an exhaustive comparison of disturbance observer based robust control approaches and to handle the structural details of each approach for gaining insight about the complexity of each approach. Toward this goal, nine performances and robustness equations portraying useful insights for understanding and analyzing control systems are derived by examining their common and equivalent block diagrams. Four of them are selected as gang of four equations, namely complementary sensitivity function, sensitivity function, disturbance sensitivity function and noise sensitivity function. Robustness and disturbance rejection performance analysis of all linear disturbance observer based control schemes and classical feedback control scheme are done using gang of four equations. With these representations, two tables discussing all prime issues and facilitating the selection of the best approach are obtained. Our research stipulates critical facts and figures of each scheme by considering the derived gang of four equations, which can be used for choosing the most appropriate disturbance observer based control approach for a given robust control problem. It is concluded that the uncertainty disturbance estimator approach is superior when time delay type uncertainty is involved in the model. Unfolding this is critical as time delay is an inevitable fact in most industrial control systems. The findings also emphasize that time domain disturbance observer based control approach is proficient if there is no process time delay.

An adaptive PI control design for multi-phase machines in healthy and faulty operations

Purpose This paper aims to present a novel robust control method based on an adaptive PI controller (APIC) to compensate for different disturbances and unknown dynamics for multi-phase induction machines. Design/methodology/approach The gains of the APIC are adapted online according to the tracking error. Proposed APIC is accompanied with designed linear disturbance observer (LDO) to present robust behavior to machine parameter variations and fault disturbances. Findings The results show remarkable dynamic performance in both healthy and faulty conditions when the six-phase induction machine works under APIC and LDO schemes. Originality/value The proposed controller need not readjust current controllers for the post-fault condition. The developed Simulink model efficiency is confirmed through experimental tests.

Hybrid impedance control of a knee joint orthosis

Purpose This paper aims to deal with the design of new hybrid approach for the assistance of the flexion extension movement of the knee joint. Design/methodology/approach The control approach combines the use of a knee joint orthosis along with functional electrical stimulation (FES) within an assist-as-needed paradigm. An active impedance controller is used to assist the generation of muscular stimulation patterns during the extension sub-phase of the knee joint movement. The generated FES patterns are appropriately tailored to achieve flexion/extension movement of the knee joint, which allows providing the required assistance by the subject through muscular stimulation. The generated torque through stimulation is tracked by a non-linear disturbance observer and fed to the impedance controller to generate the desired trajectory that will be tracked using a standard proportional derivative controller. Findings The approach was tested in experiments with two healthy subjects. Results show satisfactory performances in terms of estimating the knee joint torque, as well as in terms of cooperation between the FES and the orthosis actuator during the execution of the knee joint flexion/extension movements. Originality/value The authors designed a new hybrid approach for the assistance of the flexion extension movement of the knee joint, which has not been studied yet. The control approach combines the use of a knee joint orthosis along with FES within an assist-as-needed paradigm.