Optimal periodic gain scheduling for bipedal walking with hybrid dynamics

SUMMARYWe present an optimal gain scheduling control design for bipedal walking with minimum tracking error. We obtained a linear approximation by linearizing the nonlinear hybrid dynamic model about a nominal periodic trajectory. This linearization allows us to identify the linear model as a linear periodic system. An optimal feedback was designed using Bellman's dynamic programming. The linear periodic system allows us to determine a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) for a single period and to set the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) function in a linear quadratic form. In this way, the dynamic programming yielded an admissible continuous gain scheduling that was designed with regard to the hybrid dynamics of the system. We tuned the optimization parameters such that the tracking error and the average energy consumption are minimized. Due to linearization, we were able to examine the stability of the approximated periodic system achieved by the periodic gain according to Floquet's theory, by calculating the monodromy matrix of the closed-loop hybrid system. In addition to determining stability, the eigenvalues of this approximated monodromy matrix allowed us to evaluate the settling time of the system. This approach presents a direct method for optimal solution of locomotion control according to a given reference trajectory.

Robust Decentralized Formation Flight Control

Motivated by the idea of multiplexed model predictive control (MMPC), this paper introduces a new framework for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) formation flight and coordination. Formulated using MMPC approach, the whole centralized formation flight system is considered as a linear periodic system with control inputs of each UAV subsystem as its periodic inputs. Divided into decentralized subsystems, the whole formation flight system is guaranteed stable if proper terminal cost and terminal constraints are added to each decentralized MPC formulation of the UAV subsystem. The decentralized robust MPC formulation for each UAV subsystem with bounded input disturbances and model uncertainties is also presented. Furthermore, an obstacle avoidance control scheme for any shape and size of obstacles, including the nonapriorily known ones, is integrated under the unified MPC framework. The results from simulations demonstrate that the proposed framework can successfully achieve robust collision-free formation flights.

ANALYTICAL SOLUTIONS OF SYSTEMS WITH PIECEWISE LINEAR DYNAMICS

A class of nonautonomous dynamical systems, consisting of an autonomous nonlinear system and an autonomous linear periodic system, each acting by itself at different time intervals, is studied. It is shown that under certain conditions for the durations of the linear and the nonlinear time intervals, the dynamics of the nonautonomous piecewise linear system is closely related to that of its nonlinear autonomous component. As a result, families of explicit periodic, nonperiodic and localized breather-like solutions are analytically obtained for a variety of interesting physical phenomena.

A Harmonic-Based Method for Computing the Stability of Periodic Oscillations of Non-Linear Structural Systems

In this paper, we present a validation on a practical example of a harmonic-based numerical method to determine the local stability of periodic solutions of dynamical systems. Based on Floquet theory and Fourier series expansion (Hill method), we propose a simple strategy to sort the relevant physical eigenvalues among the expanded numerical spectrum of the linear periodic system governing the perturbed solution. By mixing the Harmonic Balance Method and Asymptotic Numerical Method continuation technique with the developed Hill method, we obtain a purely-frequency based continuation tool able to compute the stability of the continued periodic solutions in a reduced computation time. This procedure is validated by considering an externally forced string and computing the complete bifurcation diagram with the stability of the periodic solutions. The particular coupled regimes are exhibited and found in excellent agreement with results of the literature, allowing a method validation.