Non-linear predictive control for manufacturing and robotic applications

The paper discusses predictive control algorithms in the context of applications to robotics and manufacturing systems. Special features of such systems, as compared to traditional process control applications, require that the algorithms are capable of dealing with faster dynamics, more significant unstabilities and more significant contribution of non-linearities to the system performance. The paper presents the general framework for state-space design of predictive algorithms. Linear algorithms are introduced first, then, the attention moves to non-linear systems. Methods of predictive control are presented which are based on the state-dependent state space system description. Those are illustrated on examples of rather difficult mechanical systems

Multi-objective optimization of active suspension predictive control based on improved PSO algorithm

The design and control for active suspension is of great significance for improving the vehicle performance, which requires considering simultaneously three indexes including ride comfort, packaging requirements and road adaptability. To find optimal suspension parameters and provide a better tradeoff among these three performances, this paper presents a novel multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MPSO) algorithm for the suspension design. The mathematical model of quarter-car suspension is first established, and it integrates the hydraulic servo actuator model. Further a model predictive controller is designed for the suspension by using the control strategies of multi-step forecast, rolling optimization and online correction of predictive control theory. To use vehicle body acceleration, tire deflection and suspension stroke to represent the above three performances respectively, a multi-objective optimization model is constructed to optimize the suspension stiffness and damping coefficients. The MPSO algorithm includes extra crossover operations, which are applied to find the Pareto optimal set. The rule to update the Pareto pool is that the newly selected solutions must have two better performances compared with at least one already existed in the Pareto pool, which ensures that each solution is non-dominated within the Pareto set. Finally, numerical simulations on a vehicle-type example are done under B-level road surface excitation. Simulation results show that the optimized suspension can effectively reduce the vertical vibrations and improve the road adaptability. The model predictive controller also shows high robustness with vehicle under null load, half load and full load. Therefore, the proposed MPSO algorithm provides a new valuable reference for the multi-objective optimization of active suspension control

Optimal greenhouse cultivation control: survey and perspectives

Abstract: A survey is presented of the literature on greenhouse climate control, positioning the various solutions and paradigms in the framework of optimal control. A separation of timescales allows the separation of the economic optimal control problem of greenhouse cultivation into an off-line problem at the tactical level, and an on-line problem at the operational level. This paradigm is used to classify the literature into three categories: focus on operational control, focus on the tactical level, and truly integrated control. Integrated optimal control warrants the best economical result, and provides a systematic way to design control systems for the innovative greenhouses of the future. Research issues and perspectives are listed as well

A Real-time Nonlinear Model Predictive Controller for Yaw Motion Optimization of Distributed Drive Electric Vehicles

This paper proposes a real-time nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) strategy for direct yaw moment control (DYC) of distributed drive electric vehicles (DDEVs). The NMPC strategy is based on a control-oriented model built by integrating a single track vehicle model with the Magic Formula (MF) tire model. To mitigate the NMPC computational cost, the continuation/generalized minimal residual (C/GMRES) algorithm is employed and modified for real-time optimization. Since the traditional C/GMRES algorithm cannot directly solve the inequality constraint problem, the external penalty method is introduced to transform inequality constraints into an equivalently unconstrained optimization problem. Based on the Pontryagin’s minimum principle (PMP), the existence and uniqueness for solution of the proposed C/GMRES algorithm are proven. Additionally, to achieve fast initialization in C/GMRES algorithm, the varying predictive duration is adopted so that the analytic expressions of optimally initial solutions in C/GMRES algorithm can be derived and gained. A Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) condition based control allocation method distributes the desired traction and yaw moment among four independent motors. Numerical simulations are carried out by combining CarSim and Matlab/Simulink to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. Results demonstrate that the real-time NMPC strategy can achieve superior vehicle stability performance, guarantee the given safety constraints, and significantly reduce the computational efforts