239 research outputs found
A Predictive Fuzzy-Neural Autopilot for the Guidance of Small Motorised Marine Craft
This thesis investigates the design and evaluation of a control system, that is able to adapt
quickly to changes in environment and steering characteristics. This type of controller is
particularly suited for applications with wide-ranging working conditions such as those experienced
by small motorised craft.
A small motorised craft is assumed to be highly agile and prone to disturbances, being
thrown off-course very easily when travelling at high speed 'but rather heavy and sluggish
at low speeds. Unlike large vessels, the steering characteristics of the craft will change
tremendously with a change in forward speed. Any new design of autopilot needs to be to
compensate for these changes in dynamic characteristics to maintain near optimal levels of
performance.
This study identities the problems that need to be overcome and the variables involved.
A self-organising fuzzy logic controller is developed and tested in simulation. This type of
controller learns on-line but has certain performance limitations.
The major original contribution of this research investigation is the development of an
improved self-adaptive and predictive control concept, the Predictive Self-organising Fuzzy
Logic Controller (PSoFLC). The novel feature of the control algorithm is that is uses a
neural network as a predictive simulator of the boat's future response and this network is
then incorporated into the control loop to improve the course changing, as well as course
keeping capabilities of the autopilot investigated.
The autopilot is tested in simulation to validate the working principle of the concept and
to demonstrate the self-tuning of the control parameters. Further work is required to establish
the suitability of the proposed novel concept to other control
Guidance and control of an autonomous underwater vehicle
Merged with duplicate record 10026.1/856 on 07.03.2017 by CS (TIS)A cooperative project between the Universities of Plymouth and Cranfield was aimed
at designing and developing an autonomous underwater vehicle named Hammerhead.
The work presented herein is to formulate an advance guidance and control system
and to implement it in the Hammerhead. This involves the description of Hammerhead
hardware from a control system perspective. In addition to the control system,
an intelligent navigation scheme and a state of the art vision system is also developed.
However, the development of these submodules is out of the scope of this thesis.
To model an underwater vehicle, the traditional way is to acquire painstaking mathematical
models based on laws of physics and then simplify and linearise the models to
some operating point. One of the principal novelties of this research is the use of system
identification techniques on actual vehicle data obtained from full scale in water
experiments. Two new guidance mechanisms have also been formulated for cruising
type vehicles. The first is a modification of the proportional navigation guidance for
missiles whilst the other is a hybrid law which is a combination of several guidance
strategies employed during different phases of the Right.
In addition to the modelling process and guidance systems, a number of robust control
methodologies have been conceived for Hammerhead. A discrete time linear
quadratic Gaussian with loop transfer recovery based autopilot is formulated and integrated
with the conventional and more advance guidance laws proposed. A model
predictive controller (MPC) has also been devised which is constructed using artificial
intelligence techniques such as genetic algorithms (GA) and fuzzy logic. A GA
is employed as an online optimization routine whilst fuzzy logic has been exploited
as an objective function in an MPC framework. The GA-MPC autopilot has been
implemented in Hammerhead in real time and results demonstrate excellent robustness
despite the presence of disturbances and ever present modelling uncertainty. To
the author's knowledge, this is the first successful application of a GA in real time
optimization for controller tuning in the marine sector and thus the thesis makes an
extremely novel and useful contribution to control system design in general. The
controllers are also integrated with the proposed guidance laws and is also considered
to be an invaluable contribution to knowledge. Moreover, the autopilots are used in
conjunction with a vision based altitude information sensor and simulation results
demonstrate the efficacy of the controllers to cope with uncertain altitude demands.J&S MARINE LTD., QINETIQ,
SUBSEA 7 AND SOUTH WEST WATER PL
Intelligent Control Strategies for an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
The dynamic characteristics of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) present a control
problem that classical methods cannot often accommodate easily. Fundamentally, AUV dynamics
are highly non-linear, and the relative similarity between the linear and angular velocities about
each degree of freedom means that control schemes employed within other flight vehicles are not
always applicable. In such instances, intelligent control strategies offer a more sophisticated
approach to the design of the control algorithm. Neurofuzzy control is one such technique, which
fuses the beneficial properties of neural networks and fuzzy logic in a hybrid control architecture.
Such an approach is highly suited to development of an autopilot for an AUV.
Specifically, the adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) is discussed in
Chapter 4 as an effective new approach for neurally tuning course-changing fuzzy autopilots.
However, the limitation of this technique is that it cannot be used for developing multivariable
fuzzy structures. Consequently, the co-active ANFIS (CANFIS) architecture is developed and
employed as a novel multi variable AUV autopilot within Chapter 5, whereby simultaneous control
of the AUV yaw and roll channels is achieved. Moreover, this structure is flexible in that it is
extended in Chapter 6 to perform on-line control of the AUV leading to a novel autopilot design
that can accommodate changing vehicle pay loads and environmental disturbances.
Whilst the typical ANFIS and CANFIS structures prove effective for AUV control system
design, the well known properties of radial basis function networks (RBFN) offer a more flexible
controller architecture. Chapter 7 presents a new approach to fuzzy modelling and employs both
ANFIS and CANFIS structures with non-linear consequent functions of composite Gaussian form.
This merger of CANFIS and a RBFN lends itself naturally to tuning with an extended form of the
hybrid learning rule, and provides a very effective approach to intelligent controller development.The Sea Systems and Platform Integration Sector,
Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, Winfrit
Decision tree learning for intelligent mobile robot navigation
The replication of human intelligence, learning and reasoning by means of computer
algorithms is termed Artificial Intelligence (Al) and the interaction of such
algorithms with the physical world can be achieved using robotics. The work described in
this thesis investigates the applications of concept learning (an approach which takes its
inspiration from biological motivations and from survival instincts in particular) to robot
control and path planning. The methodology of concept learning has been applied using
learning decision trees (DTs) which induce domain knowledge from a finite set of training
vectors which in turn describe systematically a physical entity and are used to train a robot
to learn new concepts and to adapt its behaviour.
To achieve behaviour learning, this work introduces the novel approach of hierarchical
learning and knowledge decomposition to the frame of the reactive robot architecture.
Following the analogy with survival instincts, the robot is first taught how to survive in
very simple and homogeneous environments, namely a world without any disturbances or
any kind of "hostility". Once this simple behaviour, named a primitive, has been established, the robot is trained to adapt new knowledge to cope with increasingly complex
environments by adding further worlds to its existing knowledge. The repertoire of the
robot behaviours in the form of symbolic knowledge is retained in a hierarchy of clustered
decision trees (DTs) accommodating a number of primitives. To classify robot perceptions,
control rules are synthesised using symbolic knowledge derived from searching the
hierarchy of DTs.
A second novel concept is introduced, namely that of multi-dimensional fuzzy associative
memories (MDFAMs). These are clustered fuzzy decision trees (FDTs) which are trained
locally and accommodate specific perceptual knowledge. Fuzzy logic is incorporated to
deal with inherent noise in sensory data and to merge conflicting behaviours of the DTs.
In this thesis, the feasibility of the developed techniques is illustrated in the robot
applications, their benefits and drawbacks are discussed
Autonomous sea craft for search and rescue operations : marine vehicle modelling and analysis.
Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.Marine search and rescue activities have been plagued with the problem of risking the lives of rescuers in
rescue operations. With increasing developments in sensor technologies, it became a necessity in the
marine search and rescue community to develop an autonomous marine craft to assist in rescue
operations. Autonomy of marine craft requires a robust localization technique and process. To apply
robust localization to marine craft, GPS technology was used to determine the position of the marine craft
at any given point in time. Given that the operational environment of the marine was at open air, river, sea
etc. GPS signal was always available to the marine craft as there are no obstructions to GPS signal.
Adequate cognizance of the current position and states of an unmanned marine craft was a critical
requirement for navigation of an unmanned surface vehicle (USV). The unmanned surface vehicle uses
GPS in conjunction with state estimated solution provided by inertial sensors. In the absence of the GPS
signal, navigation is resumed with a digital compass and inertial sensors to such a time when the GPS
signal becomes accessible.
GPS based navigation can be used for an unmanned marine craft with the mathematical modelling of the
craft meeting the functional requirements of an unmanned marine craft. A low cost GPS unit was used in
conjunction with a low cost inertial measurement unit (IMU) with sonar for obstacle detection. The use of
sonar in navigation algorithm of marine craft was aimed at surveillance of the operational environment of
the marine craft to detect obstacles on its path of motion. Inertial sensors were used to determine the
attitude of the marine craft in motion
Deviation warnings of ferries based on artificial potential field and historical data
Ferries are usually used for transporting passengers and vehicles among docks, and any deviation of the course can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, transportation ferries must be watched closely by local maritime administrators, which involves much manpower. With the use of historical data, this article proposes an intelligent method of integrating artificial potential field with Bayesian Network to trigger deviation warnings for a ferry based on its trajectory, speed and course. More specifically, a repulsive potential field-based model is first established to capture a customary waterway of ferries. Subsequently, a method based on non-linear optimisation is introduced to train the coefficients of the proposed repulsive potential field. The deviation of a ferry from the customary route can then be quantified by the potential field. Bayesian Network is further introduced to trigger deviation warnings in accordance with the distribution of deviation values, speeds and courses. Finally, the proposed approach is validated by the historical data of a chosen ferry on a specific route. The testing results show that the approach is capable of providing deviation warnings for ferries accurately and can offer a practical solution for maritime supervision. © IMechE 2019
An adaptive autopilot design for an uninhabited surface vehicle
An adaptive autopilot design for an uninhabited surface vehicle
Andy SK Annamalai
The work described herein concerns the development of an innovative approach to the
design of autopilot for uninhabited surface vehicles. In order to fulfil the requirements of
autonomous missions, uninhabited surface vehicles must be able to operate with a minimum
of external intervention. Existing strategies are limited by their dependence on a fixed
model of the vessel. Thus, any change in plant dynamics has a non-trivial, deleterious effect
on performance. This thesis presents an approach based on an adaptive model predictive
control that is capable of retaining full functionality even in the face of sudden changes in
dynamics.
In the first part of this work recent developments in the field of uninhabited surface vehicles
and trends in marine control are discussed. Historical developments and different strategies
for model predictive control as applicable to surface vehicles are also explored. This thesis
also presents innovative work done to improve the hardware on existing Springer
uninhabited surface vehicle to serve as an effective test and research platform. Advanced
controllers such as a model predictive controller are reliant on the accuracy of the model to
accomplish the missions successfully. Hence, different techniques to obtain the model of
Springer are investigated. Data obtained from experiments at Roadford Reservoir, United
Kingdom are utilised to derive a generalised model of Springer by employing an innovative
hybrid modelling technique that incorporates the different forward speeds and variable
payload on-board the vehicle. Waypoint line of sight guidance provides the reference
trajectory essential to complete missions successfully.
The performances of traditional autopilots such as proportional integral and derivative
controllers when applied to Springer are analysed. Autopilots based on modern controllers
such as linear quadratic Gaussian and its innovative variants are integrated with the
navigation and guidance systems on-board Springer. The modified linear quadratic
Gaussian is obtained by combining various state estimators based on the Interval Kalman
filter and the weighted Interval Kalman filter.
Change in system dynamics is a challenge faced by uninhabited surface vehicles that result
in erroneous autopilot behaviour. To overcome this challenge different adaptive algorithms
are analysed and an innovative, adaptive autopilot based on model predictive control is
designed. The acronym ‘aMPC’ is coined to refer to adaptive model predictive control that
is obtained by combining the advances made to weighted least squares during this research
and is used in conjunction with model predictive control. Successful experimentation is
undertaken to validate the performance and autonomous mission capabilities of the adaptive
autopilot despite change in system dynamics.EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
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