Title: Selective approach towards robust control and accommodation of disturbances

Authors: Poi Voon Er; Rongmin Cao; Wenyu Liang; Rui Yang; Chek Sing Teo; Kok Kiong Tan

Addresses: SIMTech-NUS Joint Laboratory (Precision Motion Systems), Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117582, Singapore ' School of Automation, Beijing Information Science and Technology University, Beijing 100192, China ' Mechatronics and Automation Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117582, Singapore ' Mechatronics and Automation Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117582, Singapore ' Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, A*STAR, 638075, Singapore ' SIMTech-NUS Joint Laboratory (Precision Motion Systems), Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117582, Singapore

Abstract: Precision control is desirable in high performance robotics and automation systems. However, when extraneous disturbances step in, persistence with a precision control methodology can result in an unacceptable level of performance when the nominal conditions under which the nominal control is designed no longer hold. At this time, a suitable adaptive and robust control scheme would be useful to cope with the evolving situation with disturbances though it may not yield the same level of nominal control performance. Resolving these conflicting requirements in an appropriate and calculated manner during the course of operation of a motion system becomes an important issue to address to accommodate the disturbances and yield the best level of performance possible. In this paper, we present a selective approach towards commissioning a good compromise between nominal and appropriate robust adaptive control. The approach leverages on a sensor fusion method based on radial basis functions (RBFs) to provide a control selector signal indicative of the level of disturbance present to fire the appropriate control. Simulation results based on the model of a real linear motion system setup are provided to show the effectiveness of the approach.

Keywords: precision control; robust control; advanced model free adaptive control; PID control; radial basis function; RBF; sensor fusion; disturbances; simulation; linear motion.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMA.2014.064097

International Journal of Mechatronics and Automation, 2014 Vol.4 No.3, pp.161 - 172

Received: 05 Nov 2013
Accepted: 27 Jan 2014
Published online: 04 Sep 2014 *

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