Stability of closed-loop fractional-order systems and definition of damping contours for the design of controllers

Fractional complex order integrator has been used since 1991 for the design of robust control-systems. In the CRONE control methodology, it permits the parameterization of open loop transfer function which is optimized in a robustness context. Sets of fractional order integrators that lead to a given damping factor have also been used to build iso-damping contours on the Nichols plane. These iso-damping contours can also be used to optimize the third CRONE generation open-loop transfer function. However, these contours have been built using non band-limited integrators, even if such integrators reveal to lead to unstable closed loop systems. One objective of this paper is to show how the band-limitation modifies the left half-plane dominant poles of the closed loop system and removes the right half-plane ones. It is also presented how to obtain a fractional order open loop transfer function with a high phase slope and a useful frequency response. It is presented how the damping contours can be used to design robust controllers, not only CRONE controllers but also PD and QFT controllers

Multiobjective control of a four-link flexible manipulator: A robust H∞ approach

Copyright [2002] IEEE. This material is posted here with permission of the IEEE. Such permission of the IEEE does not in any way imply IEEE endorsement of any of Brunel University's products or services. Internal or personal use of this material is permitted. However, permission to reprint/republish this material for advertising or promotional purposes or for creating new collective works for resale or redistribution must be obtained from the IEEE by writing to [email protected]. By choosing to view this document, you agree to all provisions of the copyright laws protecting it.This paper presents an approach to robust H∞ control of a real multilink flexible manipulator via regional pole assignment. We first show that the manipulator system can be approximated by a linear continuous uncertain model with exogenous disturbance input. The uncertainty occurring in an operating space is assumed to be norm-bounded and enter into both the system and control matrices. Then, a multiobjective simultaneous realization problem is studied. The purpose of this problem is to design a state feedback controller such that, for all admissible parameter uncertainties, the closed-loop system simultaneously satisfies both the prespecified H∞ norm constraint on the transfer function from the disturbance input to the system output and the prespecified circular pole constraint on the closed-loop system matrix. An algebraic parameterized approach is developed to characterize the existence conditions as well as the analytical expression of the desired controllers. Third, by comparing with the traditional linear quadratic regulator control method in the sense of robustness and tracking precision, we provide both the simulation and experimental results to demonstrate the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed approach

On the formulation of a minimal uncertainty model for robust control with structured uncertainty

In the design and analysis of robust control systems for uncertain plants, representing the system transfer matrix in the form of what has come to be termed an M-delta model has become widely accepted and applied in the robust control literature. The M represents a transfer function matrix M(s) of the nominal closed loop system, and the delta represents an uncertainty matrix acting on M(s). The nominal closed loop system M(s) results from closing the feedback control system, K(s), around a nominal plant interconnection structure P(s). The uncertainty can arise from various sources, such as structured uncertainty from parameter variations or multiple unsaturated uncertainties from unmodeled dynamics and other neglected phenomena. In general, delta is a block diagonal matrix, but for real parameter variations delta is a diagonal matrix of real elements. Conceptually, the M-delta structure can always be formed for any linear interconnection of inputs, outputs, transfer functions, parameter variations, and perturbations. However, very little of the currently available literature addresses computational methods for obtaining this structure, and none of this literature addresses a general methodology for obtaining a minimal M-delta model for a wide class of uncertainty, where the term minimal refers to the dimension of the delta matrix. Since having a minimally dimensioned delta matrix would improve the efficiency of structured singular value (or multivariable stability margin) computations, a method of obtaining a minimal M-delta would be useful. Hence, a method of obtaining the interconnection system P(s) is required. A generalized procedure for obtaining a minimal P-delta structure for systems with real parameter variations is presented. Using this model, the minimal M-delta model can then be easily obtained by closing the feedback loop. The procedure involves representing the system in a cascade-form state-space realization, determining the minimal uncertainty matrix, delta, and constructing the state-space representation of P(s). Three examples are presented to illustrate the procedure

Nonlinear and adaptive control

The primary thrust of the research was to conduct fundamental research in the theories and methodologies for designing complex high-performance multivariable feedback control systems; and to conduct feasibiltiy studies in application areas of interest to NASA sponsors that point out advantages and shortcomings of available control system design methodologies

Robust ℋ2 Performance: Guaranteeing Margins for LQG Regulators

This paper shows that ℋ2 (LQG) performance specifications can be combined with structured uncertainty in the system, yielding robustness analysis conditions of the same nature and computational complexity as the corresponding conditions for ℋ∞ performance. These conditions are convex feasibility tests in terms of Linear Matrix Inequalities, and can be proven to be necessary and sufficient under the same conditions as in the ℋ∞ case. With these results, the tools of robust control can be viewed as coming full circle to treat the problem where it all began: guaranteeing margins for LQG regulators