Sliding Mode Control for Trajectory Tracking of a Non-holonomic Mobile Robot using Adaptive Neural Networks

In this work a sliding mode control method for a non-holonomic mobile robot using an adaptive neural network is proposed. Due to this property and restricted mobility, the trajectory tracking of this system has been one of the research topics for the last ten years. The proposed control structure combines a feedback linearization model, based on a nominal kinematic model, and a practical design that combines an indirect neural adaptation technique with sliding mode control to compensate for the dynamics of the robot. A neural sliding mode controller is used to approximate the equivalent control in the neighbourhood of the sliding manifold, using an online adaptation scheme. A sliding control is appended to ensure that the neural sliding mode control can achieve a stable closed-loop system for the trajectory-tracking control of a mobile robot with unknown non-linear dynamics. Also, the proposed control technique can reduce the steady-state error using the online adaptive neural network with sliding mode control; the design is based on Lyapunov’s theory. Experimental results show that the proposed method is effective in controlling mobile robots with large dynamic uncertaintiesFil: Rossomando, Francisco Guido. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan. Instituto de Automática. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Automática; ArgentinaFil: Soria, Carlos Miguel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan. Instituto de Automática. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Automática; ArgentinaFil: Carelli Albarracin, Ricardo Oscar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan. Instituto de Automática. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Automática; Argentin

Optimal sliding mode controllers for attitude tracking of spacecraft

This paper studies two optimal sliding mode control laws using integral sliding mode control (ISM) for some spacecraft attitude tracking problems. Integral sliding mode control combining the first order sliding mode and optimal control is applied to quaternion-based spacecraft attitude tracking manoeuvres with external disturbances and an uncertainty inertia matrix. For the optimal control part the state dependent Riccati equation (SDRE) and Control Lyapunov function (CLF) approaches are used to solve the infinite-time nonlinear optimal problem. The second method of Lyapunov is used to show that tracking is achieved globally. An example of multiaxial attitude tracking manoeuvres is presented and simulation results are included to verify the usefulness of these controllers

The kinematics of hyper-redundant robot locomotion

This paper considers the kinematics of hyper-redundant (or “serpentine”) robot locomotion over uneven solid terrain, and presents algorithms to implement a variety of “gaits”. The analysis and algorithms are based on a continuous backbone curve model which captures the robot's macroscopic geometry. Two classes of gaits, based on stationary waves and traveling waves of mechanism deformation, are introduced for hyper-redundant robots of both constant and variable length. We also illustrate how the locomotion algorithms can be used to plan the manipulation of objects which are grasped in a tentacle-like manner. Several of these gaits and the manipulation algorithm have been implemented on a 30 degree-of-freedom hyper-redundant robot. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate and validate these concepts and our modeling assumptions

Experimental Validation of a Sliding Mode Control for a Stewart Platform Used in Aerospace Inspection Applications

The authors introduce a new controller, aimed at industrial domains, that improves the performance and accuracy of positioning systems based on Stewart platforms. More specifically, this paper presents, and validates experimentally, a sliding mode control for precisely positioning a Stewart platform used as a mobile platform in non-destructive inspection (NDI) applications. The NDI application involves exploring the specimen surface of aeronautical coupons at different heights. In order to avoid defocusing and blurred images, the platform must be positioned accurately to keep a uniform distance between the camera and the surface of the specimen. This operation requires the coordinated control of the six electro mechanic actuators (EMAs). The platform trajectory and the EMA lengths can be calculated by means of the forward and inverse kinematics of the Stewart platform. Typically, a proportional integral (PI) control approach is used for this purpose but unfortunately this control scheme is unable to position the platform accurately enough. For this reason, a sliding mode control (SMC) strategy is proposed. The SMC requires: (1) a priori knowledge of the bounds on system uncertainties, and (2) the analysis of the system stability in order to ensure that the strategy executes adequately. The results of this work show a higher performance of the SMC when compared with the PI control strategy: the average absolute error is reduced from 3.45 mm in PI to 0.78 mm in the SMC. Additionally, the duty cycle analysis shows that although PI control demands a smoother actuator response, the power consumption is similar.This research was funded by the Basque Government through the project SMAR3NAK (ELKARTEK KK-2019/00051), by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (RTI2018-094669-B-C31) and by Aernnova and the Diputación Foral de Álava (DFA) through the project CONAVAUTIN 2 (Collaboration Agreement)

Workspace and Kinematic Analysis of the VERNE machine

This paper describes the workspace and the inverse and direct kinematic analysis of the VERNE machine, a serial/parallel 5-axis machine tool designed by Fatronik for IRCCyN. This machine is composed of a three-degree-of-freedom (DOF) parallel module and a two-DOF serial tilting table. The parallel module consists of a moving platform that is connected to a fixed base by three non-identical legs. This feature involves (i) a simultaneous combination of rotation and translation for the moving platform, which is balanced by the tilting table and (ii) workspace whose shape and volume vary as a function of the tool length. This paper summarizes results obtained in the context of the European projects NEXT ("Next Generation of Productions Systems")

Analytical Models and Control Design Approaches for a 6 DOF Motion Test Apparatus

Wind tunnels play an indispensable role in the process of aircraft design, providing a test bed to produce valuable, accurate data that can be extrapolated to actual flight conditions. Historically, time-averaged data has made up the bulk of wind tunnel research, but modern flight design necessitates the use of dynamic wind tunnel testing to provide time-accurate data for high frequency motion. This research explores the use of a 6 degree of freedom (DOF) motion test apparatus (MTA) in the form of a robotic arm to allow models inside a subsonic wind tunnel to track prescribed trajectories to obtain time-accurate force and moment coefficients. Specifically, different control laws were designed, simulated, and integrated into a 2 DOF model representative of the elbow pitch and wrist pitch joints of the MTA system to decrease positional tracking error for a desired end-effector trajectory. Stability of the closed-loop systems was proven via Lyapunov analysis for all of the control laws, and the control laws proved to decrease tracking error during the trajectory case studies. An adaptive sliding mode control scheme was chosen as most suitable to simulate on the 6 DOF model due to the small tracking error as compared to the other control schemes and the availability of parameters of the actual MTA system when subject to the time-varying aerodynamics of the wind tunnel