Robust output feedback distributed model predictive control of networked systems with communication delays in the presence of disturbance

In this work, an output feedback cooperative distributed model predictive control is developed for a class of networked systems composed of interacting subsystems interconnected through their states, in which it handles bounded disturbances and time varying communication delays. A distributed buffer based prediction strategy is used to compensate bounded delays and predict those states, which are coupled between subsystems that their actual values may not available due to delays. In the design of robust distributed model predictive control, distributed moving horizon estimation is employed so that convergence and boundedness of the estimation error are ensured. Furthermore, robust exponential stability of the closed loop system is established. The effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated using two interconnected continuous stirred tank reactors.     

Distributed model reference adaptive containment control of heterogeneous uncertain multi-agent systems

In this paper, a distributed model reference adaptive control (MRAC) design framework is proposed for containment control of heterogeneous uncertain multi-agent systems (MAS). Both groups of leaders and followers are considered to have general linear dynamics with the leaders subject to bounded external inputs and the followers subject to uncertain system dynamics. Two distributed adaptive control protocols are developed under this framework. The first protocol assumes measurable leaders’ input signals for a subset of the followers, and employs distributed observers with state-feedback adaptive controllers to achieve exact containment control performance. The second protocol incorporates robust adaptive control with nonlinear compensator techniques to handle a more challenging scenario of unmeasurable bounded leaders’ inputs. Convergence of the containment control errors to an arbitrarily adjustable neighborhood of the origin is guaranteed with the second protocol. The proposed MRAC framework provides a promising alternative solution over the prevailing cooperative output regulation framework for heterogeneous linear MAS containment control. It enables us to handle more general system settings under more stringent control environments with limited accessibility of leaders’ information and uncertain follower dynamics. Effectiveness and usefulness of the proposed approaches are demonstrated through extensive simulation studies, including an application to containment control of multiple nonholonomic mobile robots.     

Distributed synchronization control of complex networks with communication constraints

This paper is concerned with the distributed synchronization control of complex networks with communication constraints. In this work, the controllers communicate with each other through the wireless network, acting as a controller network. Due to the constrained transmission power, techniques such as the packet size reduction and transmission rate reduction schemes are proposed which could help reduce communication load of the controller network. The packet dropout problem is also considered in the controller design since it is often encountered in networked control systems. We show that the closed-loop system can be modeled as a switched system with uncertainties and random variables. By resorting to the switched system approach and some stochastic system analysis method, a new sufficient condition is firstly proposed such that the exponential synchronization is guaranteed in the mean-square sense. The controller gains are determined by using the well-known cone complementarity linearization (CCL) algorithm. Finally, a simulation study is performed, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed design algorithm.     

A packet-based dual-rate PID control strategy for a slow-rate sensing Networked Control System

This paper introduces a packet-based dual-rate control strategy to face time-varying network-induced delays, packet dropouts and packet disorder in a Networked Control System. Slow-rate sensing enables to achieve energy saving and to avoid packet disorder. Fast-rate actuation makes reaching the desired control performance possible. The dual-rate PID controller is split into two parts: a slow-rate PI controller located at the remote side (with no permanent communication to the plant) and a fast-rate PD controller located at the local side. The remote side also includes a prediction stage in order to generate the packet of future, estimated slow-rate control actions. These actions are sent to the local side and converted to fast-rate ones to be used when a packet does not arrive at this side due to the network-induced delay or due to occurring dropouts. The proposed control solution is able to approximately reach the nominal (no-delay, no-dropout) performance despite the existence of time-varying delays and packet dropouts. Control system stability is ensured in terms of probabilistic Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs). Via real-time control for a Cartesian robot, results clearly reveal the superiority of the control solution compared to a previous proposal by authors.     

Optimal performance of networked control systems under the packet dropouts and channel noise

The optimal tracking performance of single-input single-output (SISO) discrete-time networked control systems (NCSs) with the packet dropouts and channel noise is studied in this paper. The communication channel is characterized by three parameters: the packet dropouts, channel noise and the encoding and decoding. The explicit expression of the optimal tracking performance is obtained by using the spectral factorization. It is shown that the optimal tracking performance dependents on the nonminimum phase zeros, unstable poles of the given plant, as well as the packet dropout probability, channel noise and the encoding and decoding. The optimal tracking performance is improved by two-parameter compensator. Finally, a typical example is given to illustrate the theoretical results.     

Iterative learning-based decentralized adaptive tracker for large-scale systems: a digital redesign approach

In this paper, a digital redesign methodology of the iterative learning-based decentralized adaptive tracker is proposed to improve the dynamic performance of sampled-data linear large-scale control systems consisting of N interconnected multi-input multi-output subsystems, so that the system output will follow any trajectory which may not be presented by the analytic reference model initially. To overcome the interference of each sub-system and simplify the controller design, the proposed model reference decentralized adaptive control scheme constructs a decoupled well-designed reference model first. Then, according to the well-designed model, this paper develops a digital decentralized adaptive tracker based on the optimal analog control and prediction-based digital redesign technique for the sampled-data large-scale coupling system. In order to enhance the tracking performance of the digital tracker at specified sampling instants, we apply the iterative learning control (ILC) to train the control input via continual learning. As a result, the proposed iterative learning-based decentralized adaptive tracker not only has robust closed-loop decoupled property but also possesses good tracking performance at both transient and steady state. Besides, evolutionary programming is applied to search for a good learning gain to speed up the learning process of ILC.     

Model predictive control with amplitude and rate actuator saturation

In this work we show that the anti-wind-up-bumpless-transfer controller emerges from the structure of model predictive control (MPC) with quadratic objective and input constrains. The key to establish that relationship is the application of optimality conditions to the equivalent optimal control problem. The proposed framework employs a model of physical constraints as part of the controller architecture to ensure that the commands sent to the actuator do not exceed their specific limits and the internal states of the controller are well updated. Numerical examples are presented for illustrating the proposed control design methodology.     

Improved design of constrained model predictive tracking control for batch processes against unknown uncertainties

In this paper, an improved constrained tracking control design is proposed for batch processes under uncertainties. A new process model that facilitates process state and tracking error augmentation with further additional tuning is first proposed. Then a subsequent controller design is formulated using robust stable constrained MPC optimization. Unlike conventional robust model predictive control (MPC), the proposed method enables the controller design to bear more degrees of tuning so that improved tracking control can be acquired, which is very important since uncertainties exist inevitably in practice and cause model/plant mismatches. An injection molding process is introduced to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed MPC approach in comparison with conventional robust MPC.     

Robust model predictive control for switched linear systems

Developed is a robust model predictive control scheme for a class of discrete-time switched linear systems. The system is described in linear fractional transformation form in the presence of model uncertainty and induced norm bounded disturbances. The objective is to minimize the upper bound of an infinite horizon cost function subject to a terminal inequality. A Lyapunov function analysis for the switched system shows guaranteed closed-loop stability. Taking into account the switching structure of the system, the predictive control design problem along with sufficient conditions for the existence of a solution is expressed in terms of Riccati–Metzler inequalities. Then, these inequalities are turned into a linear matrix inequality feasibility problem. Three cases are analyzed to demonstrate the performance and effectiveness of the proposed robust model predictive controller for switched discrete-time linear systems.     

A Multi-Agent-Based Agile Shop Floor Control System

The ability of an enterprise to deliver new products quickly and efficiently to market is often the chief determinant of competitive success. The shop floor control system must be an open dynamic system with the capability of adapting and accepting radical unpredictable changes in its structures and industrial practices. This paper presents a new architecture for an agile shop floor control system. The architecture is based on the methodology of multi-agent systems in distributed artificial intelligence (DAI). The multi-agent system has some common characteristics such as: distribution, autonomy, interaction, and openness, which are helpful for transferring traditional architecture to a distributed, cooperative architecture for a shop floor control system. A bidding method based on the required production cost and processing time is also proposed. Using a distributed object-oriented technique, a CORBA-based multi-agent framework for an agile shop floor control system is constructed to integrate all the activity of the shop floor into a distributed intelligent open environment. To implement the framework, a coordination model between agents and behavioural models of some representative agents are established.     

Asynchronous update based networked predictive control system using a novel proactive compensation strategy

Networked predictive control system (NPCS) has been proposed to address random delays and data dropouts in networked control systems (NCSs). A remaining challenge of this approach is that the controller has uncertain information about the actual control inputs, which leads to the predicted control input errors. The main contribution of this paper is to develop an explicit mechanism running in the distributed network nodes asynchronously, which enables the controller node to keep informed of the states of the actuator node without a priori knowledge about the network. Based on this mechanism, a novel proactive compensation strategy is proposed to develop asynchronous update based networked predictive control system (AUBNPCS). The stability criterion of AUBNPCS is derived analytically. A simulation experiment based on Truetime demonstrates the effectiveness of the scheme.     

具有状态约束的电液伺服系统模型参考鲁棒自适应控制

针对电液伺服系统中的模型不确定性和状态约束问题,设计了一种模型参考鲁棒自适应控制(MRRAC)方法。将电液伺服系统的近似模型作为模型预测控制(MPC)的设计对象,在设计过程中考虑状态约束,并生成受约束的状态期望,作为后续伺服控制方法的参考指令。为了克服液压系统中的模型不确定性,基于反步法设计了鲁棒自适应控制器(RAC),实现了兼顾模型不确定性和状态约束的伺服控制。基于Lyapunov稳定性理论证明了所设计控制策略的闭环渐近稳定性,且系统所有信号均有界。仿真结果表明,控制器对于系统模型不确定性具有较强的鲁棒性,且可实现对指定状态的有效约束,充分验证了该控制策略的有效性。     

几种特殊动态特性对象的预测PI控制

提出了基于一阶加纯滞后、二阶非振荡及振荡加纯滞后、反向特性加纯滞后和积分特性加纯滞后对象的预测 PI控制器的结构形式。这种预测 PI控制器既具有 PI控制器的功能 ,又具有预测功能 ,特别适合大纯滞后系统的控制 ,而且结构简单 ,可调参数少 ,参数的调节方便、直观。通过几种实际对象的模型仿真表明 :在干扰、噪音存在和模型失配的情况下 ,预测 PI控制器仍然具有良好的控制性能 ,是一种值得在实际工程中推广应用的新型控制器     

Model predictive control of non-linear systems over networks with data quantization and packet loss

This paper studies the approach of model predictive control (MPC) for the non-linear systems under networked environment where both data quantization and packet loss may occur. The non-linear controlled plant in the networked control system (NCS) is represented by a Tagaki-Sugeno (T-S) model. The sensed data and control signal are quantized in both links and described as sector bound uncertainties by applying sector bound approach. Then, the quantized data are transmitted in the communication networks and may suffer from the effect of packet losses, which are modeled as Bernoulli process. A fuzzy predictive controller which guarantees the stability of the closed-loop system is obtained by solving a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). A numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Model predictive control for a class of systems with isolated nonlinearity

The paper is concerned with an overall convergent nonlinear model predictive control design for a kind of nonlinear mechatronic drive systems. The proposed nonlinear model predictive control results in the improvement of regulatory capacity for reference tracking and load disturbance rejection. The design of the nonlinear model predictive controller consists of two steps: the first step is to design a linear model predictive controller based on the linear part of the system at each sample instant, then an overall convergent nonlinear part is added to the linear model predictive controller to combine a nonlinear controller using error driven. The structure of the proposed controller is similar to that of classical PI optimal regulator but it also bears a set-point feed forward control loop, thus tracking ability and disturbance rejection are improved. The proposed method is compared with the results from recent literature, where control performance under both model match and mismatch cases are enlightened.     

Novel delay-partitioning stabilization approach for networked control system via Wirtinger-based inequalities

This paper studies the problems of stability analysis and state feedback stabilization for networked control system. By developing a novel delay-partitioning approach, the information on both the range of network-induced delay and the maximum number of consecutive data packet dropouts can be taken into full consideration. Various augmented Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals (LKFs) with triple-integral terms are constructed for the two delay subintervals. Moreover, the Wirtinger-based inequalities in combination with an improved reciprocal convexity are utilized to estimate the derivatives of LKFs more accurately. The proposed approaches have improved the stability conditions without increasing much computational complexity. Based on the obtained stability criterion, a stabilization controller design approach is also given. Finally, four numerical examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness and outperformance of the proposed approaches.     

A response surface based hierarchical approach to multidisciplinary robust optimization design

A multidisciplinary robust optimization design framework, concurrent subsystem robust design optimization, is proposed to obtain robust optimum solution in the large-scaled and coupled system. In this framework, response surfaces in the form of artificial neural networks provide information pertaining to system performance characteristics, and individual subsystems engage in performing robust optimization design in parallel while communicating with the system level. This optimization approach incorporates uncertainty analysis and generates a global robust optimum solution in an iterative fashion. Two applications are considered, and the results demonstrate that the approach yields a reasonable robust optimum solution, and it is a potential and efficient multidisciplinary robust optimization approach .     

A consensus-based multi-agent approach for estimation in robust fault detection

This paper is devoted to distributed estimation in robust fault detection for sensor networks with networked-induced delays and packet dropouts by using a consensus-based multi-agent approach. Utilizing the information interaction and coordination among the neighboring networks based on multi-agent theory, we design novel and multiple agent-based robust fault detection filters (RFDFs) subject to only partial estimated and measured information. Asymptotically stable sufficient conditions for the innovative constructed filters are derived in the form of linear matrix inequality (LMI) and the threshold fit for each agent-based RFDF is determined. An illustrative example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the consensus-based multi-agent approach for the estimation in robust fault detection.     

Modeling and distributed gain scheduling strategy for load frequency control in smart grids with communication topology changes

In this paper, we investigate the modeling and distributed control problems for the load frequency control (LFC) in a smart grid. In contrast with existing works, we consider more practical and real scenarios, where the communication topology of the smart grid changes because of either link failures or packet losses. These topology changes are modeled as a time-varying communication topology matrix. By using this matrix, a new closed-loop power system model is proposed to integrate the communication topology changes into the dynamics of a physical power system. The globally asymptotical stability of this closed-loop power system is analyzed. A distributed gain scheduling LFC strategy is proposed to compensate for the potential degradation of dynamic performance (mean square errors of state vectors) of the power system under communication topology changes. In comparison to conventional centralized control approaches, the proposed method can improve the robustness of the smart grid to the variation of the communication network as well as to reduce computation load. Simulation results show that the proposed distributed gain scheduling approach is capable to improve the robustness of the smart grid to communication topology changes.     

MULTIDISCIPLINARY ROBUST OPTIMIZATION DESIGN

Because uncertainty factors inevitably exist under multidisciplinary design environment, a hierarchical multidisciplinary robust optimization design based on response surface is proposed. The method constructs optimization model of subsystem level and system level to coordinate the coupling among subsystems, and also the response surface based on the artificial neural network is introduced to provide information for system level optimization tool to maintain the independence of subsystems, i.e. to realize multidisciplinary parallel design. The application case of electrical packaging demonstrates that reasonable robust optimum solution can be yielded and it is a potential and efficient multi-disciplinary robust optimization approach.