Linear parameter estimation for multi-degree-of-freedom nonlinear systems using nonlinear output frequency-response functions

The Volterra series approach has been widely used for the analysis of nonlinear systems. Based on the Volterra series, a novel concept named Nonlinear Output Frequency Response Functions (NOFRFs) was proposed by the authors. This concept can be considered as an alternative extension of the classical frequency response function for linear systems to the nonlinear case. In this study, based on the NOFRFs, a novel algorithm is developed to estimate the linear stiffness and damping parameters of multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) nonlinear systems. The validity of this NOFRF based parameter estimation algorithm is demonstrated by numerical studies

Output frequency response function-based analysis for nonlinear Volterra systems

Analysis of nonlinear systems has been studied extensively. Based on some recently developed results, a new systematic approach to the analysis of nonlinear Volterra systems in the frequency domain is proposed in this paper, which provides a novel insight into the frequency domain analysis and design of nonlinear systems subject to a general input instead of only specific harmonic inputs using input-output experimental data. A general procedure to conduct an output frequency response function (OFRF) based analysis is given, and some fundamental results and techniques are established for this purpose. A case study for the analysis of a circuit system is provided to illustrate this new frequency domain method

Parametric characteristic analysis for the output frequency response function of nonlinear volterra systems

The output frequency response function (OFRF) of nonlinear systems is a new concept, which defines an analytical relationship between the output spectrum and the parameters of nonlinear systems. In the present study, the parametric characteristics of the OFRF for nonlinear systems described by a polynomial form differential equation model are investigated based on the introduction of a novel coefficient extraction operator. Important theoretical results are established, which allow the explicit structure of the OFRF for this class of nonlinear systems to be readily determined, and reveal clearly how each of the model nonlinear parameters has its effect on the system output frequency response. Examples are provided to demonstrate how the theoretical results are used for the determination of the detailed structure of the OFRF. Simulation studies verify the effectiveness and illustrate the potential of these new results for the analysis and synthesis of nonlinear systems in the frequency domain

Analysis and design of nonlinear systems in the frequency domain

Nonlinear system analyses have been widely applied in engineering practice, where the frequency domain approaches have been developed to satisfy the requirement of the analysis and design of nonlinear systems. However, there exist many problems with current techniques including the challenges with the nonlinear system representation using physically meaningful models, and difficulties with the evaluation of the frequency properties of nonlinear systems. In the present work, some new approaches, that have potential to be used to systematically address these problems, are developed based on the NDE (Nonlinear Differential Equation) model and the NARX (Nonlinear Auto Regressive with eXegenous input) model of nonlinear systems. In this thesis, the background of the frequency domain analysis and design of nonlinear systems is introduced in Chapter 1, and the existing approaches are reviewed in Chapter 2. In general, the frequency analysis of nonlinear systems is conducted based on the Volterra series representation of nonlinear systems, and as basic issues, the evaluation of the Volterra series representation and its convergence are discussed in Chapters 3 and 4, respectively. An extension of the existing frequency analysis and design techniques is discussed in Chapter 5 to facilitate the analysis of the effects of both linear and nonlinear characteristic parameters on the output frequency responses of nonlinear systems. An experimental study is conducted in Chapter 6 to show how a nonlinear component can benefit the engineering system, such to emphasis the significance of developing the analysis and design approaches of nonlinear systems. The main contributions are summarized as below. (1) The GALEs is proposed that can accurately evaluate the system Volterra series representation. By using the GALEs, the solution to the NDE model or the NARX model of nonlinear systems can be obtained by simply dealing with a series of linear differential or difference equations, which can facilitate a wide range of nonlinear system analyses and associated practical applications. (2) A new criterion is derived to determine the convergence of the Volterra series representation of nonlinear systems described by a NARX model. The analysis is performed based on a new function known as Generalized Output Bound Characteristic Function (GOBCF), which is defined in terms of the input, output and parameters of the NARX model of nonlinear systems. Compared to the existing results, the new criterion provides a much more rigorous and effective approach to the analysis of the convergence conditions and properties of the Volterra series representation of nonlinear systems. (3) The Output Frequency Response Function (OFRF) in terms of physical parameters of concern is introduced for the NARX Model with parameters of interest for Design (NARX-M-for-D). Moreover, a new concept known as the Associated Output Frequency Response Function (AOFRF) is introduced to facilitate the analysis of the effects of both linear and nonlinear characteristic parameters on the output frequency responses of nonlinear systems. (4) Nonlinear damping can achieve desired isolation performance of a system over both low and high frequency regions and the optimal nonlinear damping force can be realized by closed loop controlled semi-active dampers. Both simulation and laboratory experiments are studied, demonstrating the advantages of the proposed nonlinear damping technologies over both traditional linear damping and more advanced Linear-Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) feedback control which have been used in practice to address building isolation system design and implementation problems

Spectral modeling of switched-mode power converters

A new modeling approach for the spectral analysis of pulsewidth modulated (PWM) converters with independent inputs is developed. The key of this approach is to extend the Volterra functional series to nonlinear systems with multiple independent inputs. After formulating the state-space equations describing the dynamical behavior of PWM converters, the Volterra transfer function characterizing the output frequency response can be obtained, which is then symmetrized to form the spectral model. Since the model is developed in a closed form, it is suitable for computer analysis. The modeling approach has been applied to various PWM converters, and the results are verified. The spectral models of different power converters can readily be obtained by using this general approach.published_or_final_versio

An algorithm for determining the output frequency range of Volterra models with multiple inputs

A new algorithm for determining the output frequency range and the frequency components of Volterra models under multiple inputs is introduced for nonlinear system analysis. For a given Volterra model, the output frequency components corresponding to a multi-tone input can easily be calculated using the new algorithm

Estimation of generalised frequency response functions

Volterra series theory has a wide application in the representation, analysis, design and control of nonlinear systems. A new method of estimating the Volterra kernels in the frequency domain is introduced based on a non-parametric algorithm. Unlike the traditional non-parametric methods using the DFT transformed input-output data, this new approach uses the time domain measurements directly to estimate the frequency domain response functions

Nonlinear output frequency response functions for multi-input nonlinear volterra systems

The concept of Nonlinear Output Frequency Response Functions (NOFRFs) is extended to the nonlinear systems that can be described by a multi-input Volterra series model. A new algorithm is also developed to determine the output frequency range of nonlinear systems from the frequency range of the inputs. These results allow the concept of NOFRFs to be applied to a wide range of engineering systems. The phenomenon of the energy transfer in a two degree of freedom nonlinear system is studied using the new concepts to demonstrate the significance of the new results

Comparisons between harmonic balance and nonlinear output frequency response function in nonlinear system analysis

By using the Duffing oscillator as a case study, this paper shows that the harmonic components in the nonlinear system response to a sinusoidal input calculated using the Nonlinear Output Frequency Response Functions (NOFRFs) are one of the solutions obtained using the Harmonic Balance Method (HBM). A comparison of the performances of the two methods shows that the HBM can capture the well-known jump phenomenon, but is restricted by computational limits for some strongly nonlinear systems and can fail to provide accurate predictions for some harmonic components. Although the NOFRFs cannot capture the jump phenomenon, the method has few computational restrictions. For the nonlinear damping systems, the NOFRFs can give better predictions for all the harmonic components in the system response than the HBM even when the damping system is strongly nonlinear