Path-Following Based on Nonlinear Model Predictive Control with Adaptive Path Preview

This paper presents a Nonlinear Model Predictive Controller(NMPC)for the path following of autonomous vehicles and an algorithm to adaptively adjust the preview distance.The prediction model includes vehicle dynamics,path following dynamics,and system input dynamics.The single-track vehicle model considers the vehicle’s coupled lateral and longitudinal dynamics,as well as nonlinear tire forces.The tracking error dynamics are derived based on the curvilinear coordinates.The cost function is designed to minimize path tracking errors and control effort while considering constraints such as actuator bounds and tire grip limits.An algorithm that utilizes the optimal preview distance vector to query the corresponding reference curvature and reference speed.The length of the preview path is adaptively adjusted based on the vehicle speed,heading error,and path curvature.We validate the controller performance in a simulation environment with the autonomous racing scenario.The simulation results show that the vehicle accurately follows the highly dynamic path with small tracking errors.The maximum preview distance can be prior estimated and guidance the selection of the prediction horizon for NMPC.

Nonlinear Model Predictive Control Based on Support Vector Machine with Multi-kernel

Multi-kernel-based support vector machine （SVM） model structure of nonlinear systems and its specific identification method is proposed, which is composed of a SVM with linear kernel function followed in series by a SVM with spline kernel function. With the help of this model, nonlinear model predictive control can be transformed to linear model predictive control, and consequently a unified analytical solution of optimal input of multi-step-ahead predictive control is possible to derive. This algorithm does not require online iterative optimization in order to be suitable for real-time control with less calculation. The simulation results of pH neutralization process and CSTR reactor show the effectiveness and advantages of the presented algorithm.

SVM with Quadratic Polynomial Kernel Function Based Nonlinear Model One-step-ahead Predictive Control

A support vector machine (SVM) with quadratic polynomial kernel function based nonlinear model one-step-ahead predictive controller is presented. The SVM based predictive model is established with black-box identification method. By solving a cubic equation in the feature space, an explicit predictive control law is obtained through the predictive control mechanism. The effect of controller is demonstrated on a recognized benchmark problem and on the control of continuous-stirred tank reactor (CSTR). Simulation results show that SVM with quadratic polynomial kernel function based predictive controller can be well applied to nonlinear systems, with good performance in following reference trajectory as well as in disturbance-rejection.

Robust Adaptive Gain Higher Order Sliding Mode Observer Based Control-constrained Nonlinear Model Predictive Control for Spacecraft Formation Flying

This work deals with the development of a decentralized optimal control algorithm, along with a robust observer,for the relative motion control of spacecraft in leader-follower based formation. An adaptive gain higher order sliding mode observer has been proposed to estimate the velocity as well as unmeasured disturbances from the noisy position measurements.A differentiator structure containing the Lipschitz constant and Lebesgue measurable control input, is utilized for obtaining the estimates. Adaptive tuning algorithms are derived based on Lyapunov stability theory, for updating the observer gains,which will give enough flexibility in the choice of initial estimates.Moreover, it may help to cope with unexpected state jerks. The trajectory tracking problem is formulated as a finite horizon optimal control problem, which is solved online. The control constraints are incorporated by using a nonquadratic performance functional. An adaptive update law has been derived for tuning the step size in the optimization algorithm, which may help to improve the convergence speed. Moreover, it is an attractive alternative to the heuristic choice of step size for diverse operating conditions. The disturbance as well as state estimates from the higher order sliding mode observer are utilized by the plant output prediction model, which will improve the overall performance of the controller. The nonlinear dynamics defined in leader fixed Euler-Hill frame has been considered for the present work and the reference trajectories are generated using Hill-Clohessy-Wiltshire equations of unperturbed motion. The simulation results based on rigorous perturbation analysis are presented to confirm the robustness of the proposed approach.

Support vector machine based nonlinear model multi-step-ahead optimizing predictive control

A support vector machine with guadratic polynomial kernel function based nonlinear model multi-step-ahead optimizing predictive controller was presented. A support vector machine based predictive model was established by black-box identification. And a quadratic objective function with receding horizon was selected to obtain the controller output. By solving a nonlinear optimization problem with equality constraint of model output and boundary constraint of controller output using Nelder-Mead simplex direct search method, a sub-optimal control law was achieved in feature space. The effect of the controller was demonstrated on a recognized benchmark problem and a continuous-stirred tank reactor. The simulation results show that the multi-step-ahead predictive controller can be well applied to nonlinear system, with better performance in following reference trajectory and disturbance-rejection.

Dynamic optimization oriented modeling and nonlinear model predictive control of the wet limestone FGD system

Nonlinear model predictive control(NMPC)scheme is an effective method of multi-objective optimization control in complex industrial systems.In this paper,a NMPC scheme for the wet limestone flue gas desulphurization(WFGD)system is proposed which provides a more flexible framework of optimal control and decision-making compared with PID scheme.At first,a mathematical model of the FGD process is deduced which is suitable for NMPC structure.To equipoise the model’s accuracy and conciseness,the wet limestone FGD system is separated into several modules.Based on the conservation laws,a model with reasonable simplification is developed to describe dynamics of different modules for the purpose of controller design.Then,by addressing economic objectives directly into the NMPC scheme,the NMPC controller can minimize economic cost and track the set-point simultaneously.The accuracy of model is validated by the field data of a 1000 MW thermal power plant in Henan Province,China.The simulation results show that the NMPC strategy improves the economic performance and ensures the emission requirement at the same time.In the meantime,the control scheme satisfies the multiobjective control requirements under complex operation conditions(e.g.,boiler load fluctuation and set point variation).The mathematical model and NMPC structure provides the basic work for the future development of advanced optimized control algorithms in the wet limestone FGD systems.

Nonlinear model predictive control based on support vector machine and genetic algorithm

This paper presents a nonlinear model predictive control(NMPC) approach based on support vector machine(SVM) and genetic algorithm(GA) for multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO) nonlinear systems.Individual SVM is used to approximate each output of the controlled plant Then the model is used in MPC control scheme to predict the outputs of the controlled plant.The optimal control sequence is calculated using GA with elite preserve strategy.Simulation results of a typical MIMO nonlinear system show that this method has a good ability of set points tracking and disturbance rejection.

Nonlinear model predictive control based on hyper chaotic diagonal recurrent neural network

Nonlinear model predictive controllers(NMPC)can predict the future behavior of the under-controlled system using a nonlinear predictive model.Here,an array of hyper chaotic diagonal recurrent neural network(HCDRNN)was proposed for modeling and predicting the behavior of the under-controller nonlinear system in a moving forward window.In order to improve the convergence of the parameters of the HCDRNN to improve system’s modeling,the extent of chaos is adjusted using a logistic map in the hidden layer.A novel NMPC based on the HCDRNN array(HCDRNN-NMPC)was proposed that the control signal with the help of an improved gradient descent method was obtained.The controller was used to control a continuous stirred tank reactor(CSTR)with hard-nonlinearities and input constraints,in the presence of uncertainties including external disturbance.The results of the simulations show the superior performance of the proposed method in trajectory tracking and disturbance rejection.Parameter convergence and neglectable prediction error of the neural network(NN),guaranteed stability and high tracking performance are the most significant advantages of the proposed scheme.

Boiler-turbine control system design using continuous-time nonlinear model predictive control

A continuous-time nonlinear model predictive controller(NMPC) was designed for a boiler-turbine unit.The controller was designed by optimizing a receding-horizon performance index,with the nonlinear system approximated by its Taylor series expansion with a certain order,the magnitude saturation constraints on the inputs satisfied by increasing the predictive time,and the rate saturation conditions on the actuators satisfied by tuning the time constant of the reference trajectories in a reference governor.Simulation results showed that the controller can drive the drum pressure and output power of the nonlinear boiler-turbine unit to follow their respective reference trajectories throughout a varying operation range and keep the water level deviation within tolerances.Comparison of the NMPC scheme with the generic model control(GMC) scheme indicated that the responses are slower and there are more oscillations in the responses of the water level,fuel flow input and feed water flow input in the GMC scheme when the boiler-turbine unit is operating over a wide range.

Application of Nonlinear Predictive Control Based on RBF Network Predictive Model in MCFC Plant

This paper described a nonlinear model predictive controller for regulating a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC). A detailed mechanism model of output voltage of a MCFC was presented at first. However, this model was too complicated to be used in a control system. Consequently, an off line radial basis function (RBF) network was introduced to build a nonlinear predictive model. And then, the optimal control sequences were obtained by applying golden mean method. The models and controller have been realized in the MATLAB environment. Simulation results indicate the proposed algorithm exhibits satisfying control effect even when the current densities vary largely.

Nonlinear model predictive control with guaranteed stability based on pseudolinear neural networks

A nonlinear model predictive control problem based on pseudo-linear neural network (PNN) is discussed, in which the second order on-line optimization method is adopted. The recursive computation of Jacobian matrix is investigated. The stability of the closed loop model predictive control system is analyzed based on Lyapunov theory to obtain the sufficient condition for the asymptotical stability of the neural predictive control system. A simulation was carried out for an exothermic first-order reaction in a continuous stirred tank reactor.It is demonstrated that the proposed control strategy is applicable to some of nonlinear systems.

Nonlinear Model Algorithmic Control of a pH Neutralization Process

Control of pH neutralization processes is challenging in the chemical process industry because of their inherent strong nonlinearity. In this paper, the model algorithmic control (MAC) strategy is extended to nonlinear processes using Hammerstein model that consists of a static nonlinear polynomial function followed in series by a linear impulse response dynamic element. A new nonlinear Hammerstein MAC algorithm (named NLH-MAC) is presented in detail. The simulation control results of a pH neutralization process show that NLH-MAC gives better control performance than linear MAC and the commonly used industrial nonlinear propotional plus integral plus derivative (PID) controller. Further simulation experiment demonstrates that NLH-MAC not only gives good control response, but also possesses good stability and robustness even with large modeling errors.

GA-Based Model Predictive Control of Semi-Active Landing Gear

Semi-active landing gear can provide good performance of both landing impact and taxi situation, and has the ability for adapting to various ground conditions and operational conditions. A kind of Nonlinear Model Predictive Control algorithm （NMPC） for semi-active landing gears is developed in this paper. The NMPC algorithm uses Genetic Algorithm （GA） as the optimization technique and chooses damping performance of landing gear at touch down to be the optimization object. The valve＇s rate and magnitude limitations are also considered in the controller＇s design. A simulation model is built for the semi-active landing gear＇s damping process at touchdown. Drop tests are carried out on an experimental passive landing gear systerm to validate the parameters of the simulation model. The result of numerical simulation shows that the isolation of impact load at touchdown can be significantly improved compared to other control algorithms. The strongly nonlinear dynamics of semi-active landing gear coupled with control valve＇s rate and magnitude limitations are handled well with the proposed controller.

Model predictive control of rigid spacecraft with two variable speed control moment gyroscopes

In this paper, an attitude maneuver control problem is investigated for a rigid spacecraft using an array of two variable speed control moment gyroscopes （VSCMGs） with gimbal axes skewed to each other. A mathematical model is constructed by taking the spacecraft and the gyroscopes together as an integrated system, with the coupling interaction between them considered. To overcome the singular issues of the VSCMGs due to the conventional torque-based method, the first-order derivative of gimbal rates and the second-order derivative of the rotor spinning velocity, instead of the gyroscope torques, are taken as input variables. Moreover, taking external disturbances into account, a feedback control law is designed for the system based on a method of nonlinear model predictive control （NMPC）. The attitude maneuver can be realized fast and smoothly by using the proposed controller in this paper.

A Composite Model Predictive Control Strategy for Furnaces

Tube furnaces are essential and primary energy intensive facilities in petrochemical plants. Operational optimization of furnaces could not only help to improve product quality but also benefit to reduce energy consumption and exhaust emission. Inspired by this idea, this paper presents a composite model predictive control(CMPC)strategy, which, taking advantage of distributed model predictive control architectures, combines tracking nonlinear model predictive control and economic nonlinear model predictive control metrics to keep process running smoothly and optimize operational conditions. The controllers connected with two kinds of communication networks are easy to organize and maintain, and stable to process interferences. A fast solution algorithm combining interior point solvers and Newton's method is accommodated to the CMPC realization, with reasonable CPU computing time and suitable online applications. Simulation for industrial case demonstrates that the proposed approach can ensure stable operations of furnaces, improve heat efficiency, and reduce the emission effectively.

A Real-time Updated Model Predictive Control Strategy for Batch Processes Based on State Estimation

Nonlinear model predictive control(NMPC) is an appealing control technique for improving the performance of batch processes, but its implementation in industry is not always possible due to its heavy on-line computation. To facilitate the implementation of NMPC in batch processes, we propose a real-time updated model predictive control method based on state estimation. The method includes two strategies: a multiple model building strategy and a real-time model updated strategy. The multiple model building strategy is to produce a series of sim-plified models to reduce the on-line computational complexity of NMPC. The real-time model updated strategy is to update the simplified models to keep the accuracy of the models describing dynamic process behavior. The me-thod is validated with a typical batch reactor. Simulation studies show that the new method is efficient and robust with respect to model mismatch and changes in process parameters.

Pre-compensation of Friction for CNC Machine Tools through Constructing a Nonlinear Model Predictive Scheme

Nonlinear friction is a dominant factor afecting the control accuracy of CNC machine tools.This paper proposes a friction pre-compensation method for CNC machine tools through constructing a nonlinear model predictive scheme.The nonlinear friction-induced tracking error is frstly modeled and then utilized to establish the nonlinear model predictive scheme,which is subsequently used to optimize the compensation signal by treating the friction-induced tracking error as the optimization objective.During the optimization procedure,the derivative of compensation signal is constrained to avoid vibration of machine tools.In contrast to other existing approaches,the proposed method only needs the parameters of Stribeck friction model and an additional tuning parameter,while fnely identifying the parameters related to the pre-sliding phenomenon is not required.As a result,it greatly facilitates the practical applicability.Both air cutting and real cutting experiments conducted on an in-house developed open-architecture CNC machine tool prove that the proposed method can reduce the tracking errors by more than 56%,and reduce the contour errors by more than 50%.

Nonlinear Model Predictive Controller for Compensations of Single Line-to-ground Fault in Resonant Grounded Power Distribution Networks

An nonlinear model predictive controller(NMPC)is proposed in this paper for compensations of single line-to-ground(SLG)faults in resonant grounded power distribution networks(RGPDNs),which reduces the likelihood of power line bushfire due to electric faults.Residual current compensation(RCC)inverters with arc suppression coils(ASCs)in RGPDNs are controlled using the proposed NMPC to provide appropriate compensations during SLG faults.The proposed NMPC is incorporated with the estimation of ASC inductance,where the estimation is carried out based on voltage and current measurements from the neutral point of the power distribution network.The compensation scheme is developed in the discrete time using the equivalent circuit of RGPDNs.The proposed NMPC for RCC inverters ensures that the desired current is injected into the neutral point during SLG faults,which is verified through both simulations and control hardware-in-the-loop(CHIL)validations.Comparative results are also presented against an integral sliding mode controller(ISMC)by demon-strating the capability of power line bushfire mitigation.

Path Tracking Controller Design of Automated Parking Systems via NMPC with an Instructible Solution

Parking difficulties have become a social issue that people have to solve.Automated parking system is practicable for quick par operations without a driver which can also greatly reduces the probability of parking accidents.The paper proposes a Lyapunov-based nonlinear model predictive controller embedding an instructable solution which is generated by the modified rear-wheel feedback method(RF-LNMPC)in order to improve the overall path tracking accuracy in parking conditions.Firstly,A discrete-time RF-LNMPC considering the position and attitude of the parking vehicle is proposed to increase the success rate of automated parking effectively.Secondly,the RF-LNMPC problem with a multi-objective cost function is solved by the Interior-Point Optimization,of which the iterative initial values are described as the instructable solutions calculated by combining modified rear-wheel feedback to improve the performance of local optimal solution.Thirdly,the details on the computation of the terminal constraint and terminal cost for the linear time-varying case is presented.The closed-loop stability is verified via Lyapunov techniques by considering the terminal constraint and terminal cost theoretically.Finally,the proposed RF-LNMPC is implemented on a selfdriving Lincoln MKZ platform and the experiment results have shown improved performance in parallel and vertical parking conditions.The Monte Carlo analysis also demonstrates good stability and repeatability of the proposed method which can be applied in practical use in the near future.

Nonlinear model predictive control with relevance vector regression and particle swarm optimization

In this paper, a nonlinear model predictive control strategy which utilizes a probabilistic sparse kernel learning technique called relevance vector regression （RVR） and particle swarm optimization with controllable random exploration velocity （PSO-CREV） is applied to a catalytic continuous stirred tank reactor （CSTR） process. An accurate reliable nonlinear model is first identified by RVR with a radial basis function （RBF） kernel and then the optimization of control sequence is speeded up by PSO-CREV. Additional stochastic behavior in PSO-CREV is omitted for faster convergence of nonlinear optimization. An improved system performance is guaranteed by an accurate sparse predictive model and an efficient and fast optimization algorithm. To compare the performance, model predictive control （MPC） using a deterministic sparse kernel learning technique called Least squares support vector machines （LS-SVM） regression is done on a CSTR. Relevance vector regression shows improved tracking performance with very less computation time which is much essential for real time control.