Neural Preassigned Performance Control for State-Constrained Nonlinear Systems Subject to Disturbances

This article addresses the finite-time neural predefined performance control (PPC) issue for state-constrained nonlinear systems (NSs) with exogenous disturbances. By integrating the predefined-time performance function (PTPF) and the conventional barrier Lyapunov function (BLF), a new set of time-varying BLFs is designed to constrain the error variables. This establishes conditions for satisfying full-state constraints while ensuring that the tracking error meets the predefined performance indicators (PPIs) within a predefined time. Additionally, the incorporation of the nonlinear disturbance observer technique (NDOT) in the control design significantly enhances the ability of the system to reject disturbances and improves overall robustness. Leveraging recursive design based on dynamic surface control (DSC), a finite-time neural adaptive PPC strategy is devised to ensure that the closed-loop system is semi-globally practically finite-time stable (SPFS) and achieves the desired PPIs. Finally, the simulation results of two practical examples validate the efficacy and viability of the proposed approach.

A Modified Preassigned Finite-Time Control Scheme for Spacecraft Large-Angle Attitude Maneuvering and Tracking

This paper addresses the problem of large-angle attitude maneuvering and tracking control for rigid spacecraft, considering angular velocity and torque constraints, actuator faults, and external disturbances. First, a sliding-mode-like vector is constructed to guarantee the satisfaction of the angular velocity constraints. A modified preassigned finite-time function, which can adaptively adjust the boundaries, is then proposed to constrain the sliding-mode-like vector. The controller is designed to stabilize the closed-loop system using a barrier Lyapunov function. Additionally, actuator saturation is compensated adaptively, and the system's lumped disturbance is estimated using a fixed-time disturbance observer. Finally, the practically preassigned finite-time stability of the closed-loop system is demonstrated. In practical applications, the proposed controller can guarantee transient and steady-state performance, prevent excessive angular velocity, and ensure compliance with the physical limitations of the actuators. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller.

Prescribed time control of position and force tracking for dualarm robots with output error constraints

This paper studies the practical prescribed-time control problem for dual-arm robots handling an object with output constraints. Firstly, by utilizing the property that the sum of internal forces in the grasping space is zero, the system model is obtained and decomposed into the contact force model and free motion model, which are orthogonal to each other. Furthermore, by combining the performance function and constraint function, the original system tracking error is transformed to a new one, whose boundedness can ensure that the original system variable converges to the predetermined range within the specified time. Then, a comprehensive neuroadaptive controller including position control term and contact control force control term is designed. Finally, the simulation results of two planar three link robots working together on a common object verify the effectiveness and superiority.

Fuzzy Adaptive Event-Triggered Consensus Control for Nonlinear Multiagent Systems With Output Constraints and DoS Attacks

In this article, the fuzzy adaptive event-triggered consensus control issue is addressed for nonlinear multiagent systems (MASs) under output constraints and Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. First of all, fuzzy logic systems (FLSs) are utilized to approximate the unknown nonlinear functions. Then, a novel switching observer is constructed to observe the leader's state and handle DoS attacks. With the help of the exponent-dependent barrier Lyapunov functions (BLFs), the system output can be constrained within a preset region. Based on dynamic surface control (DSC) technique, the issue of computational complexity can be effectively avoided. Combining the designed switching observer and relative thresholds, a robust fuzzy adaptive event-triggered controller is developed, which ensures that the consensus output tracking errors converge to a small neighborhood of zero, and all signals in the closed-loop system keep bounded. Moreover, Zeno behavior can be avoided. Ultimately, simulation results are given to validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed control strategy and theory.

Data-Driven Optimal Tracking Control for Discrete-Time Nonlinear Systems With Unknown Dynamics Using Deterministic ADP

This article aims to solve the optimal tracking problem (OTP) for a class of discrete-time (DT) nonlinear systems with completely unknown dynamics. A novel data-driven deterministic approximate dynamic programming (ADP) algorithm is proposed to solve this kind of problem with only input-output (I/O) data. The proposed algorithm has two advantages compared to existing data-driven deterministic ADP algorithms for the OTP. First, our algorithm can guarantee optimality while achieving better performance in the aspects of time-saving and robustness to data. Second, the near-optimal control policy learned by our algorithm can be implemented without considering expected control and enable the system states to track the user-specified reference signals. Therefore, the tracking performance is guaranteed while simplifying the algorithm implementation. Furthermore, the convergence and stability of the proposed algorithm are strictly proved through theoretical analysis, in which the errors caused by neural networks (NNs) are considered. At the end of this article, the developed algorithm is compared with two representative deterministic ADP algorithms through a numerical example and applied to solve the tracking problem for a two-link robotic manipulator. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and advantages of the developed algorithm.

Dynamic event-triggered tracking control for high-order nonlinear systems with time-varying irregular full-state constraints and input saturation

This paper investigates the unified tracking control problem for a class of high-order nonlinear systems with 7 kinds of irregular state constraints and input saturation based on the dynamic event-triggered mechanism. The irregular state constraints exist in practical systems, including time-varying constraints, alternation between positive and negative bounds, adding/removing constraints during system operation, and the state of the system being constrained only by the upper/lower boundaries. Auxiliary constraint boundaries are introduced to deal with these irregular state constraints. This unified method allows different auxiliary constrained boundaries in response to specific circumstances, without affecting the controller's structure. Nonlinear transformed functions (NTFs) are used to eliminate the feasibility condition of barrier Lyapunov functions (BLFs) methods. Subsequently, based on the dynamic event-triggered mechanism and adding a power integrator technique, an event-triggered controller is designed to effectively reduce communication burden and energy consumption between the controller and the actuator. Finally, a simulation example and a practical example are given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed unified control method.

Prescribed performance dynamic surface control based on dual extended state observer for 2-dof hydraulic cutting arm

In tunnel section forming operations, the boom-type roadheader tracking target trajectory with high precision is greatly significant in avoiding over and under excavation and improving excavation efficiency. However, there exist complex cutting loads, measurement noise, and model uncertainties, seriously degrading the tracking performance of traditional nominal model-based controllers. Hence, this study first fully analyzes the kinematics of all members of the cutting mechanism and establishes its complete multi-body dynamic model using the Lagrange method. Furthermore, a dual extended state observer is designed to estimate the mechanical system's angular velocity and unmodeled disturbances and actuators' uncertain nonlinearities. In particular, introducing a nonlinear filter replaces the traditional first-order filter in dynamic surface technology, overcoming the "explosion of complexity" while attenuating the conservatism of gains tuning. Then, a dual extended state observer-based prescribed performance dynamic surface controller is developed for roadheaders for the first time. Simultaneously, integrating an improved error transformation function into controller design effectively avoids the online computational burden caused by traditional logarithmic operations. Utilizing Lyapunov theory, the cutting system's prescribed transient response and steady-state performance are guaranteed. Finally, the proposed controller's effectiveness is verified by comparative experiments on the roadheader.

Tracking control via time-varying feedback for an uncertain robotic system with both output constraint and dead-zone input

This paper is devoted to the tracking control for an uncertain robotic system with both output constraint and dead-zone input. Remarkably, the distinctive characters of the system are reflected by system uncertainties and output constraint. First, more serious uncertainties are involved since unknown nonlinear dynamic matrices, external disturbance and the dead-zone input (see unknown slopes and break points therein) are simultaneously considered, but those of the related literature are not. Second, weaker conditions on the output constraint are allowed since the constraint functions considered are only first but not more order continuously differentiable while any their time derivatives are not necessarily available for feedback. This leads to the incapability of the traditional control schemes on this topic. To solve the control problem, a novel control framework is proposed based on time-varying feedback which overcomes the serious system uncertainties while relaxes the conditions on output constraints. Specifically, a state transformation with a time-varying gain is first introduced to derive a new system. Then, by using the traditional backstepping method with the introduction of the time-varying gain in the estimations of some uncertain terms, a time-varying feedback controller is explicitly designed, which ensures that all the states of the resulting closed-loop system are bounded while system output asymptotically tracks the reference signal without any violation of the output constraint. Finally, simulation results for two practical examples are provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed theoretical results, and moreover, a comparison with PID method is given to show the superiority of the proposed method on tracking accuracy and robustness.

Vision-based finite-time prescribed performance control for uncooperative UAV target-tracking subject to field of view constraints

This paper presents a vision-based finite-time prescribed performance controller for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) tracking of uncooperative aerial targets. The relative states between UAV and target are estimated by an onboard monocular camera. The inability of visual measurements to accurately determine the initial state of the target renders conventional prescribed performance controllers ineffective in such situations. As a result, it becomes essential to address the problem of prescribed performance control under conditions of uncertain initial values By utilizing an auxiliary transforming function, an Asymmetric Barrier Lyapunov Function (ABLF) and a finite-time prescribed performance function, a robust adaptive controller based on backstepping framework is proposed to deal with state constraints under unknown initial tracking conditions. It is proved that, the closed-loop relative position is capable of reaching the prescribed performance bound before the preset transforming time and converging to the prescribed steady-state error before a finite setting time. Simulation examples are provided to illustrated the effectiveness of the proposed tracking algorithm.

Neural Network Boundary Approximation for Uncertain Nonlinear Spatiotemporal Systems and Its Application of Tracking Control

This brief addresses the neural network (NN) approximation problem for uncertain nonlinear systems with time-varying parameters (that is, unknown nonlinear spatiotemporal systems). Due to the fact that the unknown spatiotemporal functions cannot be directly approximated by NNs, a so-called time-varying parameter extraction is given to separate time-varying parameters from uncertain nonlinear spatiotemporal functions. By using the supremum of Euler norm of the extracted time-varying parameters, the nonlinear spatiotemporal function is mapped to an unknown state-based boundary function, which can be approximated by NNs. Based on the time-varying parameter extraction, an adaptive neural tracking control law is designed for uncertain strict-feedback nonlinear spatiotemporal systems, which guarantees the convergence of the tracking error with a trajectory performance. The effectiveness of the designed method is verified by simulations.

Neuroadaptive Fault-Tolerant Control Embedded With Diversified Activating Functions With Application to Auto-Driving Vehicles Under Fading Actuation

This article presents a neuroadaptive fault-tolerant control method for path tracking of multiinput multioutput (MIMO) systems in the presence of modeling uncertainties and external disturbances. In dealing with modeling uncertainties, neural networks (NNs) with diversified activation/basis functions are considered, with which we establish a set of control algorithms that are robust against uncertainties, adaptive to unknown parameters, and tolerant to actuation faults. This is the first work that explicitly takes into account the neural weights uncertainties and activating function uncertainties in multiple layered neural networks in control design. In addition, we apply the developed control algorithms to unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) with actuator failures. With the aid of Lyapunov stability theory, it is shown that the proposed control is able to drive the vehicle along the desired path with high precision and all the internal signals are uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB) and continuous. Both theoretical analysis and numerical simulation confirm the effectiveness of the designed strategy.

Adaptive state restricted barrier Lyapunov-based control of a Stewart platform used as ankle-controlled mobilizer

In this research project, a closed-chain robotic active ankle orthosis with six degrees of freedom is designed, constructed, numerically valued, instrumented, and experimentally validated. The mechanical arrangement to implement the orthosis corresponds to a six-legged Stewart platform. An adaptive gain control strategy with state constraints based on a state-dependent gains control (that behaves as a diverging function as the states approach the state restrictions) operates the device's motion. The convergence to an invariant positive set centered at the origin of the tracking error space is validated using the stability analysis based on the second method of Lyapunov, with the implementation of a state barrier Lyapunov-like function. The ultimate boundedness of the tracking error is proven with an endorsed gains adjustment method leading to a reachable minimum size of the ultimate bound. Hence, the impact of the state constraints and the formal reason for applying the controller on the suggested orthosis are all established. The orthosis is also controlled using a conventional state feedback strategy to assess the tracking error for an external disturbance and contrast its performance with the proposed control approach. The technology is tested on a few carefully chosen volunteers, successfully limiting the range of motion within a pre-defined region based on the scope of movement reported by patients with ankle illnesses discovered in the literature. Based on a unique mechatronic device, the created system offers a fresh approach to treating this class of impairments.

Barrier Lyapunov Function-Based Safe Reinforcement Learning for Autonomous Vehicles With Optimized Backstepping

Guaranteed safety and performance under various circumstances remain technically critical and practically challenging for the wide deployment of autonomous vehicles. Safety-critical systems in general, require safe performance even during the reinforcement learning (RL) period. To address this issue, a Barrier Lyapunov Function-based safe RL (BLF-SRL) algorithm is proposed here for the formulated nonlinear system in strict-feedback form. This approach appropriately arranges and incorporates the BLF items into the optimized backstepping control method to constrain the state-variables in the designed safety region during learning. Wherein, thus, the optimal virtual/actual control in every backstepping subsystem is decomposed with BLF items and also with an adaptive uncertain item to be learned, which achieves safe exploration during the learning process. Then, the principle of Bellman optimality of continuous-time Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation in every backstepping subsystem is satisfied with independently approximated actor and critic under the framework of actor-critic through the designed iterative updating. Eventually, the overall system control is optimized with the proposed BLF-SRL method. It is furthermore noteworthy that the variance of the attained control performance under uncertainty is also reduced with the proposed method. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified with two motion control problems for autonomous vehicles through appropriate comparison simulations.

Adaptive Neural Network Control of an Uncertain 2-DOF Helicopter With Unknown Backlash-Like Hysteresis and Output Constraints

An adaptive neural network (NN) control is proposed for an unknown two-degree of freedom (2-DOF) helicopter system with unknown backlash-like hysteresis and output constraint in this study. A radial basis function NN is adopted to estimate the unknown dynamics model of the helicopter, adaptive variables are employed to eliminate the effect of unknown backlash-like hysteresis present in the system, and a barrier Lyapunov function is designed to deal with the output constraint. Through the Lyapunov stability analysis, the closed-loop system is proven to be semiglobally and uniformly bounded, and the asymptotic attitude adjustment and tracking of the desired set point and trajectory are achieved. Finally, numerical simulation and experiments on a Quanser's experimental platform verify that the control method is appropriate and effective.

Globally Adaptive Neural Network Output-Feedback Control for Uncertain Nonlinear Systems

In this article, a globally neural-network-based adaptive control strategy with flat-zone modification is proposed for a class of uncertain output feedback systems with time-varying bounded disturbances. A high-order continuously differentiable switching function is introduced into the filter dynamics to achieve global compensation for uncertain functions, thus further to ensure that all the closed-loop signals are globally uniformity ultimately bounded (GUUB). It is proven that the output tracking error converges to the prespecified neighborhood of the origin. The effectiveness of the proposed control method is verified by two simulation examples.

Guaranteeing Global Stability for Neuro-Adaptive Control of Unknown Pure-Feedback Nonaffine Systems via Barrier Functions

Most existing approximation-based adaptive control (AAC) approaches for unknown pure-feedback nonaffine systems retain a dilemma that all closed-loop signals are semiglobally uniformly bounded (SGUB) rather than globally uniformly bounded (GUB). To achieve the GUB stability result, this article presents a neuro-adaptive backstepping control approach by blending the mean value theorem (MVT), the barrier Lyapunov functions (BLFs), and the technique of neural approximation. Specifically, we first resort the MVT to acquire the intermediate and actual control inputs from the nonaffine structures directly. Then, neural networks (NNs) are adopted to approximate the unknown nonlinear functions, in which the compact sets for maintaining the approximation capabilities of NNs are predetermined actively through the BLFs. It is shown that, with the developed neuro-adaptive control scheme, global stability of the resulting closed-loop system is ensured. Simulations are conducted to verify and clarify the developed approach.

Reduced-Order Observer-Based Output-Feedback Tracking Control for Nonlinear Time-Delay Systems With Global Prescribed Performance

In this article, the output-feedback tracking control problem is considered for a class of nonlinear time-delay systems in a strict-feedback form. Based on a state observer with reduced order, a novel output-feedback control scheme is proposed using the backstepping approach, which is able to guarantee the system transient and steady-state performance within a prescribed region. Different from existing works on prescribed performance control (PPC), the present method can relax the restriction that the initial value must be given within a predefined region, say, PPC semiglobally. In the case that the upper bound functions for nonlinear time-delay functions are unknown, based on the approximate capacity of fuzzy-logic systems, an adaptive fuzzy approximation control strategy is proposed. When the upper bound functions are known in prior, or in a product form with unknown parameters and known functions, an output-feedback tracking controller is designed, under which the closed-loop signals are globally ultimately uniformly bounded, and tracking control with global prescribed performance can be achieved. Simulation results are given to substantiate our method.

Output-Feedback Adaptive Neural Network Control for Uncertain Nonsmooth Nonlinear Systems With Input Deadzone and Saturation

Nonsmooth nonlinear systems can model many practical processes with discontinuous property and are difficult to be stabilized by classical control methods like smooth nonlinear systems. This article considers the output-feedback adaptive neural network (NN) control problem for nonsmooth nonlinear systems with input deadzone and saturation. First, the nonsmooth input deadzone and saturation is converted to a smooth function of affine form with bounded estimation error by means of the mean-value theorem. Second, with the help of approximation theorem and Filippov's differential inclusion theory, the given nonsmooth system is converted to an equivalent smooth system model. Then, by introducing a proper logarithmic barrier Lyapunov function (BLF), an output-feedback adaptive NN strategy is set up by constructing an appropriate observer and adopting the adaptive backstepping technique. A new stability criterion is established to guarantee that all the signals in the closed-loop system are semiglobally uniformly ultimately bounded (SGUUB). Finally, comparative simulations through Chua's oscillator are offered to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm.

Event-triggered tracking control of uncertain p-normal nonlinear systems with full-state constraints

This paper investigates the tracking control problem of uncertain p-normal nonlinear systems with full-state constraints via event-triggered mechanism. By skillful constructing an adaptive dynamic gain and a time-varying event-triggered strategy, a state-feedback controller is proposed to achieve practical tracking. The adaptive dynamic gain is incorporated to deal with the system uncertainties and eliminate the bad effect of the sampling error. A rigorous Lyapunov stability analysis method is put forward to verify that all the closed-loop signals are uniformly bounded and the tracking error converges into a prescribed arbitrary accuracy, and full-state constraints are not violated. Compared with the existing event-triggered strategies, the proposed time-varying event-triggered strategy is low-complexity without designing the hyperbolic tangent function.

Neural Adaptive Fixed-Time Control for Nonlinear Systems With Full-State Constraints

This article aims at this problem of adaptive neural tracking control for state-constrained systems. A general fixed-time stability criterion is first presented, by which an adaptive neural control algorithm is developed. Under the action of the proposed adaptive neural tracking controller, the tracking error converges into a small neighborhood around the origin in fixed time; meanwhile, all system states abide by the corresponding state constraints for all the time. The main difference between the present research and the previous control schemes for state-constrained systems is that this article proposes a novel and feasible approach to ensure that the constructed virtual control signals satisfy the state constraints on the corresponding states viewed as the virtual control inputs. Such an approach guarantees theoretically that all the system states cannot violate their constrained requirements at any time. Finally, two simulation examples provide support to the proposed results.

Multiple bottleneck topology TCP/AQM switching network congestion control with input saturation and prescribed performance

This paper studies the congestion control problem of multiple bottleneck networks. First, this paper regards the routing nodes of the network as multi-agents, and considers its own dynamic process. For the first time, the time-varying characteristics of the number of sessions in the network transmission process and the mutual influence between nodes are considered into the model, and a queue utilization rate switching model is established to describe the dynamics of a single agent. Then, considering the boundedness of the control input, combined with the prescribed performance technique, two congestion controllers are designed by using the backstepping method according to whether the controller depends on the number of sessions. The designed congestion controllers improve the robustness of the TCP/AQM network system in the case of frequent and time-varying sessions in multiple bottleneck networks. In addition, the designed controllers can stabilize different routing nodes of multiple bottleneck networks under different queue lengths, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the network. Finally, the effectiveness and superiority of the designed controllers are verified by simulation.

Broad learning control of a two-link flexible manipulator with prescribed performance and actuator faults

In this paper, we present a broad learning control method for a two-link flexible manipulator with prescribed performance (PP) and actuator faults. The trajectory tracking errors are processed through two consecutive error transformations to achieve the constraints in terms of the overshoot, transient error, and steady-state error. And the barrier Lyapunov function is employed to implement constraints on the transition state variable. Then, the improved radial basis function neural networks combined with broad learning theory are constructed to approximate the unknown model dynamics of flexible robotic manipulator. The proposed fault-tolerant PP control cannot only ensure tracking errors converge into a small region near zero within the preset finite time but also address the problem caused by actuator faults. All the closed-loop error signals are uniformly ultimately bounded via the Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed control is verified by the simulation results.

Globally Adaptive Neural Network Tracking for Uncertain Output-Feedback Systems

This article investigates the problem of global neural network (NN) tracking control for uncertain nonlinear systems in output feedback form under disturbances with unknown bounds. Compared with the existing NN control method, the differences of the proposed scheme are as follows. The designed actual controller consists of an NN controller working in the approximate domain and a robust controller working outside the approximate domain, in addition, a new smooth switching function is designed to achieve the smooth switching between the two controllers, in order to ensure the globally uniformly ultimately bounded of all closed-loop signals. The Lyapunov analysis method is used to strictly prove the global stability under the combined action of unmeasured states and system uncertainties, and the output tracking error is guaranteed to converge to an arbitrarily small neighborhood through a reasonable selection of design parameters. A numerical example and a practical example were put forward to verify the effectiveness of the control strategy.

Observer-based adaptive fuzzy output feedback control for functional constraint systems with dead-zone input

This paper develops an adaptive output feedback control for a class of functional constraint systems with unmeasurable states and unknown dead zone input. The constraint is a series of functions closely linked to state variables and time, which is not achieved in current research results and is more general in practical systems. Furthermore, a fuzzy approximator based adaptive backstepping algorithm is designed and an adaptive state observer with time-varying functional constraints (TFC) is constructed to estimate the unmeasurable states of the control system. Relying on the relevant knowledge of dead zone slopes, the issue of non-smooth dead-zone input is successfully solved. The time-varying integral barrier Lyapunov functions (iBLFs) are employed to guarantee that the states of the system remain within the constraint interval. By Lyapunov stability theory, the adopted control approach can ensure the stability of the system. Finally, the feasibility of the considered method is conformed via a simulation experiment.

Prescribed Finite-Time Adaptive Neural Tracking Control for Nonlinear State-Constrained Systems: Barrier Function Approach

The purpose of this article is to present a novel backstepping-based adaptive neural tracking control design procedure for nonlinear systems with time-varying state constraints. The designed adaptive neural tracking controller is expected to have the following characters: under its action: 1) the designed virtual control signals meet the constraints on the corresponding virtual control states in order to realize the backstepping design ideal and 2) the output tracking error tends to a sufficiently small neighborhood of the origin with the prescribed finite time and accuracy level. By combining the barrier Lyapunov function approach with the adaptive neural backstepping technique, a novel adaptive neural tracking controller is proposed. It is shown that the constructed controller makes sure that the output tracking error converges to a small neighborhood of the origin with the prespecified tracking accuracy and settling time. Finally, the proposed control scheme is further tested by simulation examples.

Adaptive Neural Safe Tracking Control Design for a Class of Uncertain Nonlinear Systems With Output Constraints and Disturbances

In this article, an adaptive neural safe tracking control scheme is studied for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems with output constraints and unknown external disturbances. To allow the output to stay in the desired output constraints, a boundary protection approach is developed and utilized in the output constrained problem. Since the generated output constraint trajectory is piecewise differentiable, a dynamic surface method is utilized to handle it. For the purpose of approximating the system uncertainties, a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) is adopted. Under the output of the RBFNN, the disturbance observer technology is employed to estimate the unknown compound disturbances of the system. Finally, the Lyapunov function method is utilized to analyze the convergence of the tracking error. Taking a two-link manipulator system, as an example, the simulation results are presented to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed control scheme.

Adaptive Neural Network Control for a Class of Fractional-Order Nonstrict-Feedback Nonlinear Systems With Full-State Constraints and Input Saturation

This article addresses an adaptive neural network (NN) constraint control scheme for a class of fractional-order uncertain nonlinear nonstrict-feedback systems with full-state constraints and input saturation. The radial basis function (RBF) NNs are used to deal with the algebraic loop problem from the nonstrict-feedback formation based on the approximation structure. In order to overcome the problem of input saturation nonlinearity, a smooth nonaffine function is applied to approach the saturation function. To arrest the violation of full-state constraints, the barrier Lyapunov function (BLF) is introduced in each step of the backstepping procedure. By using the fractional-order Lyapunov stability theory and the given conditions, it proves that all the states remain in their constraint bounds, the tracking error converges to a bounded compact set containing the origin, and all signals in the closed-loop system are ensured to be bounded. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme is verified by two simulation examples.

Adaptive Neural Network Control of a Flexible Spacecraft Subject to Input Nonlinearity and Asymmetric Output Constraint

This article focuses on the vibration reducing and angle tracking problems of a flexible unmanned spacecraft system subject to input nonlinearity, asymmetric output constraint, and system parameter uncertainties. Using the backstepping technique, a boundary control scheme is designed to suppress the vibration and regulate the angle of the spacecraft. A modified asymmetric barrier Lyapunov function is utilized to ensure that the output constraint is never transgressed. Considering the system robustness, neural networks are used to handle the system parameter uncertainties and compensate for the effect of input nonlinearity. With the proposed adaptive neural network control law, the stability of the closed-loop system is proved based on the Lyapunov analysis, and numerical simulations are carried out to show the validity of the developed control scheme.

Fully Distributed Optimal Position Control of Networked Uncertain Euler-Lagrange Systems Under Unbalanced Digraphs

The distributed optimal position control problem, which aims to cooperatively drive the networked uncertain nonlinear Euler-Lagrange (EL) systems to an optimal position that minimizes a global cost function, is investigated in this article. In the case without constraints for the positions, a fully distributed optimal position control protocol is first presented by applying adaptive parameter estimation and gain tuning techniques. As the environmental constraints for the positions are considered, we further provide an enhanced optimal control scheme by applying the ϵ -exact penalty function method. Different from the existing optimal control schemes of networked EL systems, the proposed adaptive control schemes have two merits. First, they are fully distributed in the sense without requiring any global information. Second, the control schemes are designed under the general unbalanced directed communication graphs. The simulations are performed to verify the obtained results.

Asymmetric Input-Output Constraint Control of a Flexible Variable-Length Rotary Crane Arm

This article demonstrates the realization of angle tracking and deformation suppression by developing two boundary controllers for a flexible variable-length rotary crane arm with extraneous disturbances and asymmetric input-output constraints. The dynamic model description of this kind of crane arm system is several partial differential equations integrated into few ordinary differential equations. The S-curve acceleration and deceleration scheme is utilized to adjust the elongation rate of the arm. A kind of novel observer is put forward to tackle unknown extraneous disturbances. Auxiliary systems and barrier Lyapunov functions are introduced to meet the asymmetric input-output constraints. With the help of Lyapunov's theory, the global exponential stability and uniform boundedness are analyzed. The numerical simulations are finally provided to illuminate its availability of the designed control schemes.

Observer-Based NN Control for Nonlinear Systems With Full-State Constraints and External Disturbances

For full-state constrained nonlinear systems with input saturation, this article studies the output-feedback tracking control under the condition that the states and external disturbances are both unmeasurable. A novel composite observer consisting of state observer and disturbance observer is designed to deal with the unmeasurable states and disturbances simultaneously. Distinct from the related literature, an auxiliary system with approximate coordinate transformation is used to attenuate the effects generated by input saturation. Then, using radial basis function neural networks (RBF NNs) and the barrier Lyapunov function (BLF), an opportune backstepping design procedure is given with employing the dynamic surface control (DSC) to avoid the problem of "explosion of complexity." Based on the given design procedure, an output-feedback controller is constructed and guarantees all the signals in the closed-loop system are semiglobally uniformly ultimately bounded. It is shown that the tracking error is regulated by the saturated input error and design parameters without the violation of the state constraints. Finally, a simulation example of a robot arm is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller.

Fault-Tolerant Adaptive Fuzzy Tracking Control for Nonaffine Fractional-Order Full-State-Constrained MISO Systems With Actuator Failures

The problem of fault-tolerant adaptive fuzzy tracking control against actuator faults is investigated in this article for a type of uncertain nonaffine fractional-order nonlinear full-state-constrained multi-input-single-output (MISO) system. By means of the existence theorem of the implicit function and the intermediate value theorem, the design difficulty arising from nonaffine nonlinear terms is surmounted. Then, the unknown ideal control inputs are approximated by using some suitable fuzzy-logic systems. An adaptive fuzzy fault-tolerant control (FTC) approach is developed by employing the barrier Lyapunov functions and estimating the compounded disturbances. Moreover, under the drive of the reference signals, a sufficient condition ensuring semiglobal uniform ultimate boundedness is obtained for all the signals in the closed-loop system, and it is proved that all the states of nonaffine nonlinear fractional-order systems are guaranteed to remain inside the predetermined compact set. Finally, two numerical examples are provided to exhibit the validity of the designed adaptive fuzzy FTC approach.

Adaptive Full-State-Constrained Control of Nonlinear Systems With Deferred Constraints Based on Nonbarrier Lyapunov Function Method

In this article, the problem of tracking control is considered for a class of uncertain strict-feedback nonlinear systems with deferred asymmetric time-varying full-state constraints. A novel adaptive robust full-state-constrained control scheme is developed. First, by introducing a novel shifting function, the original constrained system with any initial values is modified to a new constrained system, and the initial values of the modified constrained system remain 0. Then, to remove the feasibility condition caused by the barrier Lyapunov functions, the modified constrained system is further transformed into a new unconstrained system by a brand new nonlinear transformation. Furthermore, the tracking error system of the unconstrained system is constructed by using a new coordinate transformation, and a novel adaptive full-state-constrained control scheme is designed based on this error system through the backstepping recursion method and first-order filters. Finally, the resulting closed-loop system proves to be stable and numerical simulations are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed control strategy.

Observer-Based Neuro-Adaptive Optimized Control of Strict-Feedback Nonlinear Systems With State Constraints

This article proposes an adaptive neural network (NN) output feedback optimized control design for a class of strict-feedback nonlinear systems that contain unknown internal dynamics and the states that are immeasurable and constrained within some predefined compact sets. NNs are used to approximate the unknown internal dynamics, and an adaptive NN state observer is developed to estimate the immeasurable states. By constructing a barrier type of optimal cost functions for subsystems and employing an observer and the actor-critic architecture, the virtual and actual optimal controllers are developed under the framework of backstepping technique. In addition to ensuring the boundedness of all closed-loop signals, the proposed strategy can also guarantee that system states are confined within some preselected compact sets all the time. This is achieved by means of barrier Lyapunov functions which have been successfully applied to various kinds of nonlinear systems such as strict-feedback and pure-feedback dynamics. Besides, our developed optimal controller requires less conditions on system dynamics than some existing approaches concerning optimal control. The effectiveness of the proposed optimal control approach is eventually validated by numerical as well as practical examples.

Anti-Saturation-Based Adaptive Sliding-Mode Control for Active Suspension Systems With Time-Varying Vertical Displacement and Speed Constraints

In this article, an adaptive sliding-mode control scheme is developed for a class of uncertain quarter vehicle active suspension systems with time-varying vertical displacement and speed constraints, in which the input saturation is considered. The integral terminal SMC is adopted to improve convergence accuracy and avoid singular problems. In addition, neural networks are used to model unknown terms in the system and the backstepping technique is taken into account to design the actual controller. To guarantee that the time-varying state constraints are not violated, the corresponding Barrier Lyapunov functions are constructed. At the same time, a continuous differentiable asymmetric saturation model is developed to improve the stability of the system. Then, the Lyapunov stability theory is used to verify that all signals of the resulting system are semi globally uniformly ultimately bounded, time-varying state constraints are not violated, and error variables can converge to the small neighborhood of 0. Finally, results of the simulation of the designed control strategy are given to further prove the effectiveness.

Adaptive Approximation-Based Tracking Control for a Class of Unknown High-Order Nonlinear Systems With Unknown Powers

In this article, the problem of adaptive tracking control is tackled for a class of high-order nonlinear systems. In contrast to existing results, the considered system contains not only unknown nonlinear functions but also unknown rational powers. By utilizing the fuzzy approximation approach together with the barrier Lyapunov functions (BLFs), we present a new adaptive tracking control strategy. Remarkably, the BLFs are employed to determine a priori the compact set for maintaining the validity of fuzzy approximation. The primary advantage of this article is that the developed controller is independent of the powers and can be capable of ensuring global stability. Finally, two illustrative examples are given to verify the effectiveness of the theoretical findings.

Adaptive NN Control of Electro-Hydraulic System with Full State Constraints

This paper presents an adaptive neural network (NN) control approach for an electro-hydraulic system. The friction and internal leakage are nonlinear uncertainties, and the states in the considered electro-hydraulic system are fully constrained. In the control design, the NNs are utilized to approximate the nonlinear uncertainties. Then, by constructing barrier Lyapunov functions and based on the adaptive backstepping control design technique, a novel adaptive NN control scheme is formulated. It has been proven that the developed adaptive NN control scheme can sustain the controlled electro-hydraulic system to be stable and make the system output track the desired reference signal. Furthermore, the system states do not surpass the given bounds. The computer simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed controller.

Displacement-Constrained Neural Network Control of Maglev Trains Based on a Multi-Mass-Point Model

To address the safety displacement-constrained control problem of maglev trains during operation, this study applied the radial-based neural network control displacement-constrained method to maglev trains based on the multi-mass-point model, and strictly limited the output of maglev train displacement and speed values to keep the overshoot within a given range. Firstly, the dynamics and kinematics of the maglev train were modeled from the perspective of multi-mass modeling. Secondly, the basic structure of the radial-based neural network was determined according to the displacement-limited constraints of the maglev train during operation, and the stability was proven by applying the control rate and output-limited priming according to the limitations. Finally, based on the displacement-limited operation control of maglev trains, the system of the radial-based neural network was simulated. The simulation results show that this method can make the displacement and velocity signals of the maglev train converge to the command signals, the target convergence position is reached rapidly, and the deviation can be kept within a stable range so that the displacement and velocity signals of the maglev train can be limited to the desired safety constraints, which can guarantee the stability and safety of the maglev transportation system in the operation process.

Adaptive Cooperative Control of Multiple Urban Rail Trains with Position Output Constraints

This paper studies the distributed adaptive cooperative control of multiple urban rail trains with position output constraints and uncertain parameters. Based on an ordered set of trains running on the route, a dynamic multiple trains movement model is constructed to capture the dynamic evolution of the trains in actual operation. Aiming at the position constraints and uncertainties in the system, different distributed adaptive control algorithms are designed for all trains by using the local information about the position, speed and acceleration of the train operation, so that each train can dynamically adjust its speed through communicating with its neighboring trains. This control algorithm for each train is designed to track the desired position and speed curve, and the headway distance between any two neighboring trains is stable within a preset safety range, which guarantee the safety of tracking operation of multiple urban rail trains. Finally, the effectiveness of the designed scheme is verified by numerical examples.

Tracking control of state constrained fractional order nonlinear systems

This article investigates adaptive output-feedback control problems for full-state constrained fractional order uncertain strict-feedback systems with unmeasured states and input saturation. By considering the structure of the systems, a fractional order observer is framed to estimate unmeasurable states. By using the backstepping procedure and barrier Lyapunov function, the adaptive controller with adaptation laws are proposed in each step. With the Lyapunov stability theory for fractional order systems, it proves all the states remain in their constraint bounds and the error system converges to a bounded set containing the origin. In the end, Two examples are presented to show the effectiveness of the designed control scheme.

System Transformation-Based Neural Control for Full-State-Constrained Pure-Feedback Systems via Disturbance Observer

In this article, a novel disturbance observer-based adaptive neural control (ANC) scheme is proposed for full-state-constrained pure-feedback nonlinear systems using a new system transformation method. A nonlinear transformation function in a uniformed design framework is constructed to convert the original states with constrained bounds into the ones without any constraints. By combining an auxiliary first-order filter, an augmented nonlinear system without any state constraint is derived to circumvent the difficulty of the controller design caused by the nonaffine input signal. Based on the augmented nonlinear system, a nonlinear disturbance observer (NDO) is designed to enhance the disturbance rejection ability. Subsequently, the NDO-based ANC scheme is presented by combining the second-order filters with backstepping. The proposed scheme confines all states within the predefined bounds, eliminates the condition on both the known sign and bounds of control gains, improves the robustness of the closed-loop system, and alleviates the computational burden. Two simulation examples are performed to show the validity of the presented scheme.

Adaptive Auto-Berthing Control of Underactuated Vessel Based on Barrier Lyapunov Function

This paper investigates the automatic berthing problem of underactuated surface vessels in the case of uncertain dynamics and yaw rate limitation, given the importance of yaw rate control and the unmeasurable hydrodynamic parameters of the vessel at low speeds. First, we use the differential homeomorphism coordinate transformation to solve the problem of underactuation. Second, a radial basis function network (RBF) is introduced to approximate unknown nonlinear functions. Third, we apply the barrier Lyapunov function (BLF) approach to limit the yaw rate within a safe range. Fourth, we use dynamic surface control (DSC) technology and minimum learning parameters (MLP) to tackle the differential explosion problems in backstepping and computational complexity. Finally, Lyapunov stability theory proves that signals produced by the designed control scheme are bounded and effective. The simulation results show that, compared with the control scheme without BLF, the proposed method can effectively limit the yaw rate within a specific range and effectively solves the influence of the model uncertainly.

Non-singular terminal sliding-mode control for a manipulator robot using a barrier Lyapunov function

This study introduces a design of robust finite-time controllers that aims to solve the trajectory tracking of robot manipulators with full-state constraints. The control design is based on the construction of a distributed state constraint non-singular terminal sliding mode (CNTSM). The CNTSM design includes the gain self-adapting tuning method, which can ensure finite-time convergence to the sliding surface aside from the states to its corresponding reference trajectories. The implementation of the time-varying gain ensures the fulfillment of the accurate tracking for the references while the position and velocity constraints are satisfied permanently. A barrier Lyapunov function is proposed to develop the finite-time stability analysis of the designed controllers. The CNTSM realization uses the tracking error as well as its estimated derivative, which is calculated using a variant of adaptive super-twisting algorithm operating as robust differentiator. The proposed CNTSM is numerically evaluated on a two-link RM with uncertain inertia and Coriolis matrices. Simulation and experimental results evidence the efficiency of the CNTSM controller demonstrating a better tracking performance while the full-state constraints are satisfied in counterpart with the classical non-singular terminal sliding mode which is not able to keep such restrictions.

Adaptive Fuzzy Tracking Control for a Class of Uncertain Switched Nonlinear Systems With Full-State Constraints and Input Saturations

In this article, an adaptive fuzzy tracking control scheme is developed for a class of uncertain switched nonlinear systems with input saturations and full-state constraints. First to surmount the design difficulty with respect to a saturation nonlinearity controller, a nonlinear smooth function approximating the nondifferential saturation function is introduced to establish a standard switched adaptive tracking control strategy based on the mean-value theorem and the input compensation technique. Then, invoking fuzzy-logic systems (FLSs), a novel analysis method of average dwell time for switched nonlinear systems with full-state constraints is proposed by using an artful logarithmic inequality. Furthermore, the designed adaptive controller can ensure that all the states of uncertain switched nonlinear systems are not to violate the set constraint bounds by employing barrier Lyapunov functions (BLFs), and that the system output tracking error can converge to a desired neighborhood of the origin within a suitable compact set. Finally, the simulation results are given to demonstrate the validity of the presented approach.

Gradient Descent-Based Adaptive Learning Control for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles With Unknown Uncertainties

This article investigates the adaptive learning control problem for a class of nonlinear autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) with unknown uncertainties. The unknown nonlinear functions in the AUVs are approximated by radial basis function neural networks (RBFNNs), in which the weight updating laws are designed via gradient descent algorithm. The proposed gradient descent-based control scheme guarantees the semiglobal uniform ultimate boundedness (SUUB) of the system and the fast convergence of the weight updating laws. In order to reduce the computational burden during the backstepping control design process, the command-filter-based design technique is incorporated into the adaptive learning control strategy. Finally, simulation studies are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.