Contraction Based Nonlinear Controller for a Laser Beam Stabilization System using a Variable Gain

In this letter, we propose a contraction-based variable gain nonlinear control scheme for the laser-beam stabilizing (LBS) servo-system, which guarantees that the closed-loop system is convergent. With the variable gain acting on the velocity error, the well known waterbed effect of the low-frequency/bandwidth trade-off can be overcome. Moreover, the contraction-based framework allows us to extend the linear control performance metrics for analyzing the closed-loop nonlinear system behavior. The closed-loop system’s performance is evaluated in numerical simulations under input disturbances and/or white noise measurements and its efficacy is compared to that using PID and LQG controllers

Mathematical modelling, flight control system design and air flow control investigation for low speed UAVs

The demand for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has increased dramatically in the last decade from reconnaissance missions to attack roles. As their missions become more complex, advances in endurance and manoeuvrability become crucial. Due to the advances in material fabrication, wing morphing can be seen as an ideal solution for UAVs to provide improvements by overcoming the weight drawback. This thesis investigates the area of aircraft design and simulation for low speed UAVs looking at performance enhancements techniques for low speed UAVs, and their effects on the aerodynamic capabilities of the wing. The focus is on both suitable control design and wing morphing techniques based on current research findings. The low speed UAV X-RAE1 is used as the test bed for this investigation and is initially analytically presented as three dimensional body where the equations relate to the forces and moments acting on the UAV. A linearised model for straight flight at different velocities is implemented and validated against a non-linear model. Simulations showed the X-RAE1 to have acceptable stability properties over the design operating range. Control design techniques, linear quadratic regulators (LQR) and H-infinity optimisation with Loop Shaping Design Procedure (LSDP), are used to design simple control schemes for linearised longitudinal model of the X-RAE1 UAV at different velocities. The effectiveness and limitations of the two design methods show that both designs are very fast, with settling times 2-3 seconds in the height response and remarkably low variation of the results at different velocities. Computational fluid dynamics is then used to investigate and simulate the impact of introducing smart effector arrays on a UAV. The smart effector array produces a form of active flow control by providing localised flow field changes. These induced changes have direct impact on the aerodynamic forces and showed a substantial increase of lift at low angles of attack. There was also a significant increase to the lift to drag ratio at high angles of attack which resulted to a delay in stall

Développement d'outils de calcul et de logiciels pour la réalisation et l'implantation de stratégies de commande non linéaires échantillonnées

Cette thèse concerne la conception de commandes échantillonnées pour les systèmes non-linéaires en temps continu. Les systèmes échantillonnés sont des éléments inhérents aux systèmes contrôlés par ordinateur, les systèmes hybrides ou les systèmes embarqués. La conception et le calcul des contrôleurs numériques appropriés sont des taches difficiles car ils contiennent des composants à la fois continu et en temps discret. Ce travail s'inscrit dans une activité de recherche menée par S. Monaco et D. Normand-Cyrot dans le domaine des systèmes échantillonnés non-linéaires. L'idée de base est de concevoir des contrôleurs digitaux qui permettent de récupérer certaines propriétés en temps continu qui sont généralement dégradées par l'échantillonnage. Tel est le cas de l'émulation lorsque les contrôleurs en temps continu sont mis en ouvre en utilisant des bloqueurs d'ordre zéro. Cette thèse apporte des contributions dans trois directions complémentaires. La première concerne les développements théoriques: une nouvelle conception de type backstepping digital" est proposée pour les systèmes en forme strict-feedback". Cette méthode est comparée à d'autres stratégies proposées dans la littérature. La deuxième contribution est le développement d'un logiciel pour la synthèse des contrôleurs et d'une boîte à outils" pour simuler (en Matlab) les systèmes échantillonnés non-linéaires et leurs contrôleurs. Cette boîte à outils inclut plusieurs algorithmes pour la synthèse de contrôleurs échantillonnés tels que: commande de type multi-échelle, reproduction entrée-sortie/Lyapunov, backstepping digital, etc. La troisième contribution concerne plusieurs études de cas menées pour mettre en évidence les performances des contrôleurs échantillonnés, calculés avec l'aide du logiciel. Des résultats expérimentaux et des simulations sont décrits pour divers exemples réels dans les domaines électriques et mécaniques.This thesis is concerned with the sampled-data control of non-linear continuous-time systems. Sampled-data systems are present in all computer controlled, hybrid or embedded systems. The design and computation of suitable digital controllers represent unavoidable tasks since both continuous and discrete-time components interact. The basic framework of this work takes part of a wide research activity performed by S. Monaco and D. Normand-Cyrot regarding non-linear sampled-data systems. The underlying idea is to design digital controllers that recover certain continuous-time properties that are usually degraded through sampling as it is the case when continuous-time controllers are implemented by means of zero-order holder devices (emulated control). This thesis brings contributions into three different directions. The first one regards theoretical developments: a new digital backstepping-like strategy design for strict-feedback systems is proposed. This method is compared with other strategies proposed in the literature. The second contribution is the development of a control designer and of a simulation toolbox (in Matlab) for non-linear sampled-data systems. This toolbox includes different digital design strategies such as: multi-rate control, input-output/Lyapunov matching, digital backstepping design, etc. The third contribution concerns several case studies conducted to highlight the performances of the sampled-data controller designs, computed by the means of the software toolbox. Experimental and simulation results are described for various real examples especially in the area of electrical and mechanical processes.PARIS11-SCD-Bib. électronique (914719901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Effects of cervical muscle fatigue protocol on balance and field-dependency

Cervical functional capacity outcome measures that are simple and reliable are urgently needed in order permit accurate assessment/reassessment during treatments and rehabilitation. Induced neck muscle fatigue has been shown to alter functional capacities such as balance and kinaesthetic sense in the standing posture.A series of experiments were carried out in order to improve our general knowledge of neck functional capacities with the view to ultimately developing neck injuries management outcomes measures. In particular, the following questions were addressed 1) which optimal type of foam pads used during static computerised posturography are the most effective to enhance postural disturbances according each participant‟s weight and 2) what are the effects of various neck muscle groups fatigue on balance and on the perception of the subjective visual vertical and horizontal?The results suggest that the foam pads selected for posturography should 1) possess a sufficiently high modulus of elasticity and 2) result in minimal deflection under the participant‟s load. Additionally, this thesis highlights the role of different muscle groups on functional capacities. Firstly, neck flexor and extensor muscle groups do not appear to play as much a significant role in our space awareness abilities as initially thought. Secondly, extensors and lateral flexor muscle groups appear to be major contributing factors to cervical functional capacities.The novel approach used in this project provides results that challenge existing concepts on the role of different muscle groups on function. The new knowledge presented should help researchers in their development of more accurate and practical functional capacity testing protocol

Differential Models, Numerical Simulations and Applications

This Special Issue includes 12 high-quality articles containing original research findings in the fields of differential and integro-differential models, numerical methods and efficient algorithms for parameter estimation in inverse problems, with applications to biology, biomedicine, land degradation, traffic flows problems, and manufacturing systems

Generalized averaged Gaussian quadrature and applications

A simple numerical method for constructing the optimal generalized averaged Gaussian quadrature formulas will be presented. These formulas exist in many cases in which real positive GaussKronrod formulas do not exist, and can be used as an adequate alternative in order to estimate the error of a Gaussian rule. We also investigate the conditions under which the optimal averaged Gaussian quadrature formulas and their truncated variants are internal