The consensus of non-linear agents under switching topology using dynamic inversion in the presence of communication noise and delay

In this study, a consensus protocol for non-linear multi-agent systems using the non-linear dynamic inversion (NDI) technique is presented. It is named as distributed NDI or DNDI. The agents are considered to be working in a randomly changing environment which is realistic. The randomness in the operating environment is introduced by random switching communication topology, delays, and noise. The consensus protocol is obtained as a closed-form expression, which is a critical requirement for real-time implementation. Also, various cases regarding the communication issues have been considered to study the performance of the DNDI controller. The simulation results are found to be satisfactory

Fault-tolerant consensus of nonlinear agents considering switching topology in the presence of communication noise

In this paper, the consensus of nonlinear multi-agent systems (MASs) is discussed, considering actuator fault and switching topology in the presence of communication noise. The actuator fault and communication noise are both considered to be random. The switching of the topologies is considered random as well. These issues are handled by Distributed Nonlinear Dynamic Inversion (DNDI), which is designed for Multi-Agent Systems (MASs) operation. The convergence proof with actuator fault is provided, which shows the robustness of the controller. The simulation results show that DNDI successfully dealt with the actuator fault and communication events simultaneously

Average Consensus in the Presence of Delays and Dynamically Changing Directed Graph Topologies

Classical approaches for asymptotic convergence to the global average in a distributed fashion typically assume timely and reliable exchange of information between neighboring components of a given multi-component system. These assumptions are not necessarily valid in practical settings due to varying delays that might affect transmissions at different times, as well as possible changes in the underlying interconnection topology (e.g., due to component mobility). In this work, we propose protocols to overcome these limitations. We first consider a fixed interconnection topology (captured by a - possibly directed - graph) and propose a discrete-time protocol that can reach asymptotic average consensus in a distributed fashion, despite the presence of arbitrary (but bounded) delays in the communication links. The protocol requires that each component has knowledge of the number of its outgoing links (i.e., the number of components to which it sends information). We subsequently extend the protocol to also handle changes in the underlying interconnection topology and describe a variety of rather loose conditions under which the modified protocol allows the components to reach asymptotic average consensus. The proposed algorithms are illustrated via examples.Comment: 37 page

Stochastic consensus over noisy networks with Markovian and arbitrary switches

This paper considers stochastic consensus problems over lossy wireless networks. We first propose a measurement model with a random link gain, additive noise, and Markovian lossy signal reception, which captures uncertain operational conditions of practical networks. For consensus seeking, we apply stochastic approximation and derive a Markovian mode dependent recursive algorithm. Mean square and almost sure (i.e., probability one) convergence analysis is developed via a state space decomposition approach when the coefficient matrix in the algorithm satisfies a zero row and column sum condition.Subsequently,we consider a model with arbitrary random switching and a common stochastic Lyapunov function technique is used to prove convergence. Finally,our method is applied to models with heterogeneous quantizers and packet losses, and convergence results are proved

Design and implementation of predictive control for networked multi-process systems

This thesis is concerned with the design and application of the prediction method in the NMAS (networked multi-agent system) external consensus problem. The prediction method has been popular in networked single agent systems due to its capability of actively compensating for network-related constraints. This characteristic has motivated researchers to apply the prediction method to closed-loop multi-process controls over network systems. This thesis conducts an in-depth analysis of the suitability of the prediction method for the control of NMAS. In the external consensus problem, NMAS agents must achieve a common output (e.g. water level) that corresponds to the designed consensus protocol. The output is determined by the external reference input, which is provided to only one agent in the NMAS. This agreement is achieved through data exchanges between agents over network communications. In the presence of a network, the existence of network delay and data loss is inevitable. The main challenge in this thesis is thus to design an external consensus protocol with an efficient capability for network constraints compensation. The main contribution of this thesis is the enhancement of the prediction algorithm’s capability in NMAS applications. The external consensus protocol is presented for heterogeneous NMAS with four types of network constraints by utilising the developed prediction algorithm. The considered network constraints are constant network delay, asymmetric constant network delay, bounded random network delay, and large consecutive data losses. In the first case, this thesis presents the designed algorithm, which is able to compensate for uniform constant network delay in linear heterogeneous NMAS. The result is accompanied by stability criteria of the whole NMAS, an optimal coupling gains selection analysis, and empirical data from the experimental results. ‘Uniform network delay’ in this context refers to a situation in which the agent experiences a delay in accessing its own information, which is identical to the delay in data transfer from its neighbouring agent(s) in the network In the second case, this thesis presents an extension of the designed algorithm in the previous chapter, with the enhanced capability of compensating for asymmetric constant network delay in the NMAS. In contrast with the first case—which required the same prediction length as each neighbouring agent, subject to the same values of constant network delay—this case imposed varied constant network delays between agents, which required multi-prediction lengths for each agent. Thus, to simplify the computation, we selected a single prediction length for all agents and determined the possible maximum value of the constant network delay that existed in the NMAS. We tested the designed control algorithm on three heterogeneous pilotscale test rig setups. In the third case, we present a further enhancement of the designed control algorithm, which includes the capability of compensating for bounded random network delay in the NMAS. We achieve this by adding delay measurement signal generator within each agent control system. In this work, the network delay is considered to be half of the measured total delay in the network loop, which can be measured using a ramp signal. This method assumes that the duration for each agent to receive data from its neighbouring agent is equal to the time for the agent’s own transmitted data to be received by its neighbouring agent(s). In the final case, we propose a novel strategy for combining the predictive control with a new gain error ratio (GER) formula. This strategy is not only capable of compensating for a large number of consecutive data losses (CDLs) in the external consensus problem; it can also compensate for network constraints without affecting the consensus convergence time of the whole system. Thus, this strategy is not only able to solve the external consensus problem but is also robust to the number of CDL occurrences in NMAS. In each case, the designed control algorithm is compared with a Proportional-Integral (PI) controller. The evaluation of the NMAS output performance is conducted for each by simulations, analytical calculations, and practical experiments. In this thesis, the research work is accomplished through the integration of basic blocks and a bespoke Networked Control toolbox in MATLAB Simulink, together with NetController hardware

Bounded synchronization of a heterogeneous complex switched network

This paper investigates synchronization issues of a heterogeneous complex network with a general switching topology in the sense of boundedness, when no complete synchronization manifold exists. Several sufficient conditions are established with the Lyapunov method and the differential analysis of convergence to determine the existence and estimate the convergence domain for the local and global bounded synchronization of a heterogeneous complex network. By using the consensus convergence of a switched linear system associated with the switching topology, explicit bounds of the maximum deviation between nodes are obtained in the form of a scalar inequality involving the property of the consensus convergence, the homogeneous and heterogeneous dynamics of individual nodes for the local and global cases. These analytical results are simple yet generic, which can be used to explore synchronization issues of various complex networks. Finally, a numerical simulation illustrates their effectiveness.postprin