Adaptive Sensor-Fault Tolerant Control of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles With Input Saturation

This paper investigates the tracking control problem for unmanned underwater vehicles(UUVs)systems with sensor faults,input saturation,and external disturbance caused by waves and ocean currents.An active sensor fault-tolerant control scheme is proposed.First,the developed method only requires the inertia matrix of the UUV,without other dynamic information,and can handle both additive and multiplicative sensor faults.Subsequently,an adaptive fault-tolerant controller is designed to achieve asymptotic tracking control of the UUV by employing robust integral of the sign of error feedback method.It is shown that the effect of sensor faults is online estimated and compensated by an adaptive estimator.With the proposed controller,the tracking error and estimation error can asymptotically converge to zero.Finally,simulation results are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Consensus of multiple autonomous underwater vehicles with double independent Markovian switching topologies and timevarying delays

A new method in which the consensus algorithm is used to solve the coordinate control problems of leaderless multiple autonomous underwater vehicles（multi-AUVs） with double independent Markovian switching communication topologies and time-varying delays among the underwater sensors is investigated.This is accomplished by first dividing the communication topology into two different switching parts,i.e.,velocity and position,to reduce the data capacity per data package sent between the multi-AUVs in the ocean.Then,the state feedback linearization is used to simplify and rewrite the complex nonlinear and coupled mathematical model of the AUVs into a double-integrator dynamic model.Consequently,coordinate control of the multi-AUVs is regarded as an approximating consensus problem with various time-varying delays and velocity and position topologies.Considering these factors,sufficient conditions of consensus control are proposed and analyzed and the stability of the multi-AUVs is proven by Lyapunov-Krasovskii theorem.Finally,simulation results that validate the theoretical results are presented.

Parallel Neural Network-Based Motion Controller for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

A parallel neural network-based controller （PNNC） is presented for the motion control of underwater vehicles in this paper. It consists of a real-time part, a self-learning part and a desired-state programmer, and it is different from normal adaptive neural network controller in structure. Owing to the introduction of the self-learning part, on-line learning can be performed without sample data in several sample periods, resulting in high learning speed of the controller and good control performance. The desired-state programmer is utilized to obtain better learning samples of the neural network to keep the stability of the controller. The developed controller is applied to the 4-degree of freedom control of the AUV “IUV- IV” and is successful on the simulation platform. The control performance is also compared with that of neural network controller with different structures such as normal adaptive neural network and different learning methods. Current effects and surge velocity control are also included to demonstrate the controller＇ s performance. It is shown that the PNNC has a great possibility to solve the problems in the control system design of underwater vehicles.

Modeling and Simulation of aCounter-Rotating Turbine System for Underwater Vehicles

The structure of a counter-rotating turbine of an underwater vehicle is designed by adding the counter-rotating second-stage turbine disk to the conventional single-stage turbine. The available kinetic energy and the absorption power of the auxiliary system are calculated at different working conditions, and the results show that the power of the main engine and auxiliary system at the counter-rotating turbine system matches well with each other. The technology scheme of the counter-rotating turbine system is proposed, then the experimental simulation of the lubricating oil loop, fuel loop, and seawater loop is completed. The simulation results indicate that the hydraulic transmission system can satisfy the requirements for an underwater vehicle running at a steady sailing or variable working conditions.

Three-dimensional neural network tracking control of autonomous underwater vehicles with input saturation

This paper addresses the problem of three-dimensional trajectory tracking control for underactuated autonomous underwater vehicles in the presence of parametric uncertainties,environmental disturbances and input saturation.First,a virtual guidance control strategy is established on the basis of tracking error kinematics,which resolves the overall control system into two cascade subsystems.Then,a first-order sliding mode differentiator is introduced in the derivation to avoid tedious analytic calculation,and a Gaussian error function-based continuous differentiable symmetric saturation model is explored to tackle the issue of input saturation.Combined with backstepping design techniques,the neural network control method and an adaptive control approach are used to estimate composite items of the unknown uncertainty and approximation errors.Meanwhile,Lyapunov-based stability analysis guarantees that control error signals of the closed-loop system are uniformly ultimately bounded.Finally,simulation studies are conducted for the trajectory tracking of a moving target and a spiral line to validate the effectiveness of the proposed controller.

Adaptive Controller Design for Dynamic Maneuvers of High Speed Underwater Vehicles

The control synthesis of the high-speed underwater vehicle faces many technical challenges due to its inherent structure and surrounding operational environment.In this paper,the dynamical behavior is firstly described through a bifurcation analysis to give some insights for robust control synthesis.Then a novel adaptive fractional-order sliding mode controller(AFOSMC)is realized to effectively manipulate the supercavitating vehicle against payload changes,nonlinear planing force,and external disturbances.The fractional order(FO)calculus can offer more flexibility and more freedom for tuning active control synthesis than the integer-order counterpart.In addition,the adaptation law has been presented to directly handle the payload change effects.The stability of the controlled vehicle system is proven via Lyapunov stability theory.Next,the dynamic performance of the proposed controller is verified through extensive simulation results,which demonstrate the control accuracy with faster responses compared with existing integer-order controllers.Finally,the proposed fractional order controllers can provide higher performance than their integer order counterparts with control algorithms.

A path planning algorithm based on Bezier curves for underwater vehicles

An on-line path planning algorithm based on Bezier curves is presented for underwater vehicles. Aiming at the special requirements of underwater vehicles and 3D enviromnent, the algorithm consists of two steps ： the generation of spatial path and the processing of some constraints. A path for underwater vehicles is planned, which satisfies the velocity constraint and the centripetal acceleration constraint of underwater vehicles. The proposed path planning method can be used for the vehicle＇ s locomotion and navigation control.

Stabilization of coordinated motion for underwater vehicles

This paper presents a coordinating and stabilizing control law for a group of underwater vehicles with unstable dynamics. The coordinating law is derived from a potential that only depends on the relative configuration of the underwater vehicles. Being coordinated,the group behaves like one mechanical system with symmetry,and we focus on stabilizing a family of coordinated motions,called relative equilibria. The stabilizing law is derived using energy shaping to stabilize the relative equilibria which involve each vehicle translating along its longest（unstable） axis without spinning,while maintaining a relative configuration within the group. The proposed control law is physically motivated and avoids the linearization or cancellation of nonlinearities.

Multiple Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Consensus Control with Unmeasurable Velocity Information and Environmental Disturbances Under Switching Directed Topologies

A consensus algorithm proposed in the paper is applied to tackle remarkable problems of unmeasurable velocities,the environmental disturbances, and the limited communication environment for the multiple unmanned underwater vehicles(multi-UUVs). Firstly, for a complex nonlinear and coupled model of the unmanned underwater vehicle(UUV), a technique of feedback linearization is developed to transform the nonlinear UUV model into a secondorder integral UUV model. Secondly, to address the problem of the unavailable velocity information and environmental disturbances for the multi-UUVs system, we design a distributed extended state observer(DESO) to estimate the unmeasurable velocities and environmental disturbances using the relative position information. Finally,we propose a protocol based on the estimation information from the DESO and demonstrate that the multi-UUVs system with the switching directed topologies under the protocol can reach consensus asymptotically. The theoretical result proposed in the literature is verified by one numerical example.

Application of GA, PSO, and ACO Algorithms to Path Planning of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

In this paper, an underwater vehicle was modeled with six dimensional nonlinear equations of motion, controlled by DC motors in all degrees of freedom. Near-optimal trajectories in an energetic environment for underwater vehicles were computed using a nnmerical solution of a nonlinear optimal control problem （NOCP）. An energy performance index as a cost function, which should be minimized, was defmed. The resulting problem was a two-point boundary value problem （TPBVP）. A genetic algorithm （GA）, particle swarm optimization （PSO）, and ant colony optimization （ACO） algorithms were applied to solve the resulting TPBVP. Applying an Euler-Lagrange equation to the NOCP, a conjugate gradient penalty method was also adopted to solve the TPBVP. The problem of energetic environments, involving some energy sources, was discussed. Some near-optimal paths were found using a GA, PSO, and ACO algorithms. Finally, the problem of collision avoidance in an energetic environment was also taken into account.

Neural Network Based Robust Controller for Trajectory Tracking of Underwater Vehicles

A robust neural network controller （NNC） is presented for tracking control of underwater vehicles with uncertainties. The controller is obtained by using backstepping technique and Lyapunov function design in combination with neural network identification. Modeling errors and environmental disturbances are considered in the mathematical model. A twolayer neural network is introduced to compensate the modeling errors, while H∞ control strategy is used to achieve the L2-gain performance. The uniformly ultimately bounded （UUB） stabilities of tracking errors and NN weights are guaran- teed through the proposed controller. An on-line NN weights tuning algorithm is also propesed. Good performances of the tracking control system are illustrated bv the results of numerical simulations.

Model Based Adaptive Control and Disturbance Compensation for Underwater Vehicles

Underwater vehicles are being emphasized as highly integrated and intelligent devices for a significant number of oceanic operations. However, their precise operation is usually hindered by disturbances from a tether or manipulator because their propellers are unable to realize a stable suspension. A dynamic multi-body model-based adaptive controller was designed to allow the controller of the vehicle to observe and compensate for disturbances from a tether or manipulator. Disturbances, including those from a tether or manipulator, are deduced for the observation of the controller. An analysis of a tether disturbance covers the conditions of the surface, the underwater area, and the vehicle end point. Interactions between the vehicle and manipulator are mainly composed of coupling forces and restoring moments.To verify the robustness of the controller, path-following experiments on a streamlined autonomous underwater vehicle experiencing various disturbances were conducted in Song Hua Lake in China. Furthermore,path-following experiments for a tethered open frame remote operated vehicle were verified for accurate cruising with a controller and an observer, and vehicle and manipulator coordinate motion control during the simulation and experiments verified the effectiveness of the controller and observer for underwater operation. This study provides instructions for the control of an underwater vehicle experiencing disturbances from a tether or manipulator.

Fuzzy neural network control of underwater vehicles based on desired state programming

Due to the nonlinearity and uncertainty, the precise control of underwater vehicles in some intelligent operations hasn’t been solved very well yet. A novel method of control based on desired state programming was presented, which used the technique of fuzzy neural network. The structure of fuzzy neural network was constructed according to the moving characters and the back propagation algorithm was deduced. Simulation experiments were conducted on general detection remotely operated vehicle. The results show that there is a great improvement in response and precision over traditional control, and good robustness to the model’s uncertainty and external disturbance, which has theoretical and practical value.

A nonlinear bottom-following controller for underactuated autonomous underwater vehicles

The bottom-following problem for underactuated autonomous underwater vehicles （AUV） was addressed by a new type of nonlinear decoupling control law. The vertical bottom-following error and pitch angle error are stabilized by means of the stem plane, and the thruster is left to stabilize the longitudinal bottom-following error and forward speed. In order to better meet the need of engineering applications, working characteristics of the actuators were sufficiently considered to design the proposed controller. Different from the traditional method, the methodology used to solve the problem is generated by AUV model without a reference orientation, and it deals explicitly with vehicle dynamics and the geometric characteristics of the desired tracking bottom curve. The estimation of systemic uncertainties and disturbances and the pitch velocity PE （persistent excitation） conditions are not required. The stability analysis is given by Lyapunov theorem. Simulation results of a full nonlinear hydrodynamic AUV model are provided to validate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed controller.

Analysis and innovation of key technologies for autonomous underwater vehicles

As the mission needs of the autonomous underwater vehicles(AUV) have become increasingly varied and complex,the AUVs are developing in the direction of systematism, multifunction, and clustering technology, which promotes the progress of key technologies and proposes a series of technical problems. Therefore, it is necessary to make systemic analysis and in-depth study for the progress of AUV's key technologies and innovative applications. The multi-functional mission needs and its key technologies involved in complex sea conditions are pointed out through analyzing the domestic and foreign technical programs, functional characteristics and future development plans. Furthermore, the overall design of a multi-moving state AUV is proposed. Then, technical innovations of the key technologies, such as thrust vector, propeller design, kinematics and dynamics, navigation control, and ambient flow field characteristics, are made, combining with the structural characteristics and motion characteristics of the new multi-moving state AUV. The results verify the good performance of the multi-moving state AUV and provide a theoretical guidance and technical support for the design of new AUV in real complex sea conditions.

Autopilot Control Synthesis for Path Tracking Maneuvers of Underwater Vehicles

This paper is concerned with the robust control synthesis of autonomous underwater vehicle （AUV） for general path following maneuvers. First, we present maneuvering kinematics and vehicle dynamics in a unified framework. Based on H∞ loop-shaping procedure, the 2-DOF autopilot controller has been presented to enhance stability and path tracking. By use of model reduction, the high-order control system is reduced to one with reasonable order, and further the scaled low-order controller has been analyzed in both the frequency and the time domains. Finally, it is shown that the autopilot control system provides robust performance and stability against prescribed levels of uncertainty.

Using Unmanned Underwater Vehicles as Research Platforms in Coastal Ocean Studies

The advantages of using unmanned underwater vehicles in coastal ocean studies are emphasized. Two types of representative vehicles, remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) from University of South Florida, are discussed. Two individual modular sensor packages designed and tested for these platforms and field measurement results are also presented. The bottom classification and albedo package, BCAP, provides fast and accurate estimates of bottom albedos, along with other parameters such as in-water remote sensing reflectance. The real-time ocean bottom optical topographer, ROBOT, reveals high-resolution 3-dimentional bottom topography for target identification. Field data and results from recent Coastal Benthic Optical Properties field campaign, 1999 and 2000, are presented. Advantages and limitations of these vehicles and applications of modular sensor packages are compared and discussed.

Cooperative Navigation for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Based on Estimation of Motion Radius Vectors

A cooperative navigation algorithm for a group of autonomous underwater vehicles is proposed on the basis of motion radius vector estimation.Combined the dead reckoning data with the mutual range data through an acoustic communication network among the group members, the relative positioning problem can be solved. A novel approach for solving the relative positioning is presented by using a recursive trigonometry technique and extended Kalman filter(EKF). Simulation results verify the correctness and effectiveness of this navigation method.

Expert S-surface control for autonomous underwater vehicles

S-surface control has proven to be an effective means for motion control of underwater autonomous vehicles(AUV).However there are still problems maintaining steady precision of course due to the constant need to adjust parameters,especially where there are disturbing currents.Thus an intelligent integral was introduced to improve precision.An expert S-surface control was developed to tune the parameters on-line,based on the expert system,it provides S-surface control according to practical experience and control knowledge.To prevent control output over-compensation,a fuzzy neural network was included to adjust the production rules to the knowledge base.Experiments were conducted on an AUV simulation platform,and the results show that the expert S-surface controller performs better than an S-surface controller in environments with currents,producing good steady precision of course in a robust way.

Dynamics Modeling and Simulation of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles with Appendages

To provide a simulation system platform for designing and debugging a small autonomous underwater vehicle＇s （AUV） motion controller, a six-degree of freedom （6-DOF） dynamic model for AUV controlled by thruster and fins with appendages is examined. Based on the dynamic model, a simulation system for the AUV＇s motion is established. The different kinds of typical motions are simulated to analyze the motion performance and the maneuverability of the AUV. In order to evaluate the influences of appendages on the motion performance of the AUV, simulations of the AUV with and without appendages are performed and compared. The results demonstrate the AUV has good maneuverability with and without appendages.