Adaptive Variable Structure Control of MIMO Nonlinear Systems with Time-varying Delays and Unknown Dead-zones

In this paper, adaptive variable structure neural control is presented for a class of uncertain multi-input multi-output （MIMO） nonlinear systems with state time-varying delays and unknown nonlinear dead-zones. The unknown time-varying delay uncer- tainties are compensated for using appropriate Lyapunov-Krasovskii functionals in the design. The approach removes the assumption of linear function outside the deadband without necessarily constructing a dead-zone inverse as an added contribution. By utilizing the integral-type Lyapunov function and introducing an adaptive compensation term for the upper bound of the residual and optimal approximation error as well as the dead-zone disturbance, the closed-loop control system is proved to be semi-globally uniformly ultimately bounded. In addition, a modified adaptive control algorithm is given in order to avoid the high-frequency chattering phenomenon. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach.

Approximation law for discrete-time variable structure control systems

Two approximation laws of sliding mode for discrete-time variable structure control systems are proposed to overcome the limitations of the exponential approximation law and the variable rate approximation law. By applying the proposed approximation laws of sliding mode to discrete-time variable structure control systems, the stability of origin can be guaranteed, and the chattering along the switching surface caused by discrete-time variable structure control can be restrained effectively. In designing of approximation laws, the problem that the system control input is restricted is also considered, which is very important in practical systems. Finally a simulation example shows the effectiveness of the two approximation laws proposed.

Sliding Mode Variable Structure Control for Visual Servoing System

A visual servoing tracking controller is proposed based on the sliding mode control theory in order to achieve strong robustness against parameter variations and external disturbances. A sliding plane with time delay compensation is presented by the pre-estimate of states. To reduce the chattering of the sliding mode controller, a modified exponential reaching law and hyperbolic tangent function are applied to the design of visual controller and robot joint controller. Simulation results show that the visual servoing control scheme is robust and has good tracking performance.

An Approach to Polynomial NARX/NARMAX Systems Identification in a Closed-loop with Variable Structure Control

Many physical processes have nonlinear behavior which can be well represented by a polynomial NARX or NARMAX model. The identification of such models has been widely explored in literature. The majority of these approaches are for the open-loop identification. However, for reasons such as safety and production restrictions, open-loop identification cannot always be done. In such cases, closed-loop identification is necessary. This paper presents a two-step approach to closed-loop identification of the polynomial NARX/NARMAX systems with variable structure control （VSC）. First, a genetic algorithm （GA） is used to maximize the similarity of VSC signal to white noise by tuning the switching function parameters. Second, the system is simulated again and its parameters are estimated by an algorithm of the least square （LS） family. Finally, simulation examples are given to show the validity of the proposed approach.

ADAPTIVE VARIABLE STRUCTURE CONTROLLERS AND APPLICATION TO ENGINE IDLE SPEED CONTROL SIMULATION

A neural-network-based adaptive variable structure control methodology isproposed for the tracking problem of nonlinear discrete-time input-output systems. The unknowndynamics of the system are approximated via radial basis function neural networks. The control lawis based on sliding modes and simple to implement. The discrete-time adaptive law for tuning theweight of neural networks is presented using the adaptive filtering algorithm with residueupper-bound compensation. The application of the proposed controller to engine idle speed controldesign is discussed. The results indicate the validation and effectiveness of this approach.

Variable structure control with sliding mode prediction for discrete-time nonlinear systems

A new variable structure control algorithm based on sliding mode prediction for a class of discrete-time nonlinear systems is presented. By employing a special model to predict future sliding mode value, and combining feedback correction and receding horizon optimization methods which are extensively applied on predictive control strategy, a discrete-time variable structure control law is constructed. The closed-loop systems are proved to have robustness to uncertainties with unspecified boundaries. Numerical simulation and pendulum experiment results illustrate that the closed-loop systems possess desired performance, such as strong robustness, fast convergence and chattering elimination.

A Novel Genetic Algorithm and Its Application in Variable Structure Control of Robot

A novel genetic algorithm (NGA) is proposed, which possesses micro-regulation and renascence operation. The optimized variable searching interval is regulated gradually according to the sub-group of excellent individuals. The NGA is used to optimize the parameters of the variable structure control (VSC), which satisfies the new reaching law and sliding mode. It is used in robot control systems. Simulation results are given.

Fault detection and accommodation via neural network and variable structure control

This paper proposes a novel idea that classifies faults into two different kinds： serious faults and small faults, and treats them with different strategies respectively. A kind of artificial neural network （ANN） is proposed for detecting serious faults, and variable structure （VS） model-following control is constructed for accommodating small faults. The proposed framework takes both advantages of qualitative way and quantitative way of fault detection and accommodation. Moreover, the uncertainty case is investigated and the VS controller is modified. Simulation results of a remotely piloted aircraft with control actuator failures illustrate the performance of the developed algorithm.

VARIABLE STRUCTURE CONTROL APPLIED IN ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC SERVO SYSTEM WITH ANN

The variable structure control （VSC） theory is applied to the electro-hydraulic servo system here. The VSC control law is achieved using Lyapunov method and pole placement. To eliminate the chattering phenomena, a saturation function is adopted. The proposed VSC approach is fairly robust to load disturbance and system parameter variation. Since the distortion. including phase lag and amplitude attenuation occurs in the system sinusoid response, the amplitude and phase control （APC） algorithm, based on Adaline neural network and using LMS algorithm, is developed for distortion cancellation. The APC controller is simple and can on-line adjust, thus it gives accurate tracking.

Adaptive variable structure control for large-scale time-delayed systems with unknown nonlinear dead-zone

The problem of adaptive fuzzy control for a class of large-scale, time-delayed systems with unknown nonlinear dead-zone is discussed here. Based on the principle of variable structure control, a design scheme of adaptive, decentralized, variable structure control is proposed. The approach removes the conditions that the dead-zone slopes and boundaries are equal and symmetric, respectively. In addition, it does not require that the assumptions that all parameters of the nonlinear dead-zone model and the lumped uncertainty are known constants. The adaptive compensation terms of the approximation errors axe adopted to minimize the influence of modeling errors and parameter estimation errors. By theoretical analysis, the closed-loop control system is proved to be semiglobally uniformly ultimately bounded, with tracking errors converging to zero. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach.

A Novel Sliding Mode Variable Structure Controller Based on a Genetic Algorithm

A novel control method has been proposed by using the genetic algorithm （GA） for nonlinear and complex plants. The proposed control strategy is based on a variable structure control, it overcomes the defects of other adaptive methods such as strong dependence to the system. A GA is used to learn to optimally select integral coefficient C. Simulation results verified the effectiveness of the controller. For position control of Direct Current （DC） motor in practice, this method has good performance and strong robustness, and both dynamic and steady performances were improved.

Reverse-transformation austenite structure control with micro/nanometer size

To control the reverse-transformation austenite structure through manipulation of the micro/nanometer grain structure, the influences of cold deformation and annealing parameters on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of 316L austenitic stainless steel were investigated. The samples were first cold-rolled, and then samples deformed to different extents were annealed at different temperatures. The microstructure evolutions were analyzed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), magnetic measurements, and X-ray diffraction (XRD); the mechanical properties are also determined by tensile tests. The results showed that the fraction of stain-induced martensite was approximately 72% in the 90% cold-rolled steel. The micro/nanometric microstructure was obtained after reversion annealing at 820-870A degrees C for 60 s. Nearly 100% reversed austenite was obtained in samples annealed at 850A degrees C, where grains with a diameter ae<currency> 500 nm accounted for 30% and those with a diameter > 0.5 mu m accounted for 70%. The micro/nanometer-grain steel exhibited not only a high strength level (approximately 959 MPa) but also a desirable elongation of approximately 45%.

Binary ABR flow control over ATM networks with uncertainty using discrete-time variable structure controller

A binary available bit rate （ABR） scheme based on discrete-time variable structure control （DVSC） theory is proposed to solve the problem of asynchronous transfer mode （ATM） networks congestion in this paper. A discrete-time system model with uncertainty is introduced to depict the time-varying ATM networks. Based on the system model, an asymptotically stable sliding surface is designed by linear matrix inequality （LMI）. In addition, a novel discrete-time reaching law that can obviously reduce chatter is also put forward. The proposed discrete-time variable structure controller can effectively constrain the oscillation of allowed cell rate （ACR） and the queue length in a router. Moreover, the controller is self-adaptive against the uncertainty in the system. Simulations are done in different scenarios. The results demonstrate that the controller has better stability and robustness than the traditional binary flow controller, so it is good for adequately exerting the simplicity of binary flow control mechanisms.

Remote Control Guidance Law Design Using Variable Structure Control

A method of sliding mode variable structure control for the missile body being a time varying system is presented. A remote control guidance law is designed. The method has strong robustness to target＇ s maneuver. To reduce the chattering phenomena, quasi-sliding mode variable structure control method is used. Simulation results show that the proposed method has small miss distance for any kind of maneuvering targets and requires small control energy.

Coordinating optimization-based sliding mode variable structure control for electro-hydraulic servo system

A sliding mode variable structure control （SMVSC） based on a coordinating optimization algorithm has been developed. Steady state error and control switching frequency are used to constitute the system performance indexes in the coordinating optimization, while the tuning rate of boundary layer width （BLW） is employed as the optimization parameter. Based on the mathematical relationship between the BLW and steady-state error, an optimized BLW tuning rate is added to the nonlinear control term of SMVSC. Simulation experiment results applied to the positioning control of an electro-hydraulic servo system show the comprehensive superiority in dynamical and static state performance by using the proposed controller is better than that by using SMVSC without optimized BLW tuning rate. This succeeds in coordinately considering both chattering reduction and high-precision control realization in SMVSC.

VARIABLE STRUCTURE CONTROL OF INDEFINITE-DIMENSIONAL SYSTEMS

In lhis paper, we study the variable structure control of indefinite-dimensionalcontrol systems with the functional analysis method. The reaching conditions, stabilityconditions and the approximating conditions of sliding mode, as well as the generalform of the variable structure control law are given. and the elementary frame of thevariable structure control of indefinite-dimensional systems is built.

Design of Variable Structure Control by Using the L_2 Gain Method

The robust stabilization problem for a family of nonlinear plants with mismatch uncertainties is addressed, and a solution is presented based on variable structure control theory and H∞ control theory. A kind of boundary layer is built near the ideal switch surface which can eliminate chattering in the switch surface. The proposed control method with L2 gain can guarantee exponential stability of a system state with no parameter uncertainty and exter- nal disturbance, while it can guarantee state ultimate boundness if parameter uncertainty and external disturbance exist. In the proposed design method, stability of the closed-loop system is analyzed by adopting the Lyapurtov func- tion approach. Finally the numerical simulation results show that the proposed smooth variable structure controller has good pelformance without chattering in the switch surface.

Input Structure Design for Structural Controllability of Complex Networks

This paper addresses the problem of the input design of large-scale complex networks.Two types of network components,redundant inaccessible strongly connected component(RISCC)and intermittent inaccessible strongly connected component(IISCC)are defined,and a subnetwork called a driver network is developed.Based on these,an efficient method is proposed to find the minimum number of controlled nodes to achieve structural complete controllability of a network,in the case that each input can act on multiple state nodes.The range of the number of input nodes to achieve minimal control,and the configuration method(the connection between the input nodes and the controlled nodes)are presented.All possible input solutions can be obtained by this method.Moreover,we give an example and some experiments on real-world networks to illustrate the effectiveness of the method.

Structural Controls Analysis and Its Correlation with Geothermal Occurrence at Barrier Volcanic Complex (BVC), Turkana, Kenya

Geothermal is a clean energy source that is freely available in the subsurface. The exploitation of this vital resource needs intensive exploration in order to identify and quantify its occurrence. The three parameters considered when assessing the viability of a geothermal system include;heat source, fractures and fluids. Geological structures are important in transportation of fluids to and from the heat source aiding in recharge of the geothermal system and enhancing productivity. Remote sensing method was applied in mapping the structures at Barrier Volcanic Complex (BVC) by using hill shading technique which utilized four illumination angles of the sun (azimuth) i.e. 45°, 90°, 150°, and 315°, constant elevation of 45° and exaggeration of 10. The data used was Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) Satellite Imagery. ArcGIS Software was used for lineaments delineation and density mapping, PCI Geomatica was used to generate major faults, while Georose and Rockworks 17 were used to generate the rose diagrams. Geological structural analysis was done by delineating lineaments, determining the density distribution of lineaments and finally determining the structural trends of lineaments. The generated major faults in the area and the location of the occurrence of surface manifestations were compared with the generated lineaments. A total of 260 lineaments were generated whereby at 45° there was a total of 60 lineaments, at 90° 95 lineaments, at 150° 61 lineaments, and at 315° 44 lineaments. The results of structural analysis in the area as shown by the rose diagrams indicate an NNE-SSW and N-S trending of structures. In conclusion, the study area is highly fractured as indicated by the presence of numerous lineaments. These lineaments provide good recharge to the geothermal system and enhance the geothermal reservoir in the area.

Variable Structure Control of Catastrophic Course in Airdropping Heavy Cargo

The mathematical model of a transport aircraft would be subjected to a sudden change when heavy cargo is dropped off in airdropping, which exerts serious influences upon the safety of the aircraft. A variable structure controller is specially designed for handling the airdrop process. The nonlinear system is linearized by input-output feedback linearization using differential geometry theories. On this basis, an inner loop system for velocity and attitude tracking control is designed by using the exponentially approaching rule of the variable structure theory. The whole flight control system is integrated with the outer loop flight altitude control. Digital simulation evidences the applicability of the system to potentially catastrophic course in airdropping heavy cargo and provides robustness against system parameter perturbation.