Title: Robust tracking control of automotive throttle system without current sensor

Authors: Yun She; Huawen Ye

Addresses: TRW Automotive, 4505 W.26 Mile Rd, Washington, MI, 48094, USA ' School of Information Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410083, China

Abstract: Electronic throttle system has gained considerable interests recently. High control performance of this system is essential for both safe operations and possible replacements of mechanical counterparts. However, several inherent obstacles exist for the controller design of such system. First of all, the electronic throttle body exhibits several high non-linear effects, such as stick-slip friction, black slash, and discontinuous spring, etc. Secondly, variations of system parameters due to product variability causes non-uniform system behaviour. This paper aims to design a model-based robust tracking controller for such system. The developed controller exhibits several unique features such as robustness to both parameter uncertainties and noise, elimination of current sensor, etc. Theoretical analysis is provided in conjunction with discrete control algorithm implementation on a reliable continuous model to verify performance of the method. The efficacy of the approach is clearly shown.

Keywords: robust control; non-smooth nonlinearity; nonlinear observers; robustness analysis; tracking control; automotive throttle systems; controller design; model-based control; adaptive control; electronic throttle control; ETC; drive-by-wire; automobile industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPT.2013.052681

International Journal of Powertrains, 2013 Vol.2 No.1, pp.78 - 100

Received: 30 Jan 2012
Accepted: 07 Dec 2012
Published online: 19 Jul 2014 *

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