International Journal of Automation and Control (13 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Cruise Control of Autonomous Battery Electric Vehicle using Super Twisting Sliding Mode based Active Disturbance Rejection Control  
  by Suhail Ahmad Suhail, Mohammad Abid Bazaz, Shoeb Hussain 
  Abstract: This paper proposes a novel control scheme for the design of cruise control for an autonomous battery electric vehicle (BEV), based on active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) and super twisting sliding mode control (STSMC) featuring accuracy, and rapid convergence. The central concept is to combine the advantages of STSMC to track the reference trajectory accurately with the ability of ADRC to reject the parameter uncertainties and external disturbances. The combination of ADRC and STSMC relaxes the dependency of the controller on the accuracy of the plant model. Compared to the sliding mode control (SMC), adaptive SMC, and fast terminal SMC, the proposed control scheme is independent of the plant model. Simulations are carried out to assess the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme. The simulation results show that the proposed control strategy can significantly reduce the chattering phenomenon, owing to the estimation capability of extended state observer (ESO). The simulation results also show that the proposed strategy is much better in terms of tracking performance than ADRC and proportional integral derivative (PID). The proposed method improves the robustness against modelling errors and disturbances and performs smooth tracking of the reference.
  Keywords: active disturbance rejection control; ADRC; electric vehicle; sliding mode control; SMC; cruise control; extended state observer; ESO.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJAAC.2022.10043968
   
  
• Disturbance Observer-based Higher-order Sliding Mode Controller for Frequency Regulation of Hybrid Power Systems  
  by Vivek Patel, Dipayan Guha, Shubhi Purwar 
  Abstract: This paper discusses a higher-order integral sliding mode controller (HOISMC) for frequency regulation of an isolated and interconnected hybrid power system. An improved slap swarm algorithm (ISSA) has been adopted and implemented for concurrent tuning of the HOISMC’s parameter to alleviate system oscillations and improve system stability in the wake of uncertain perturbations. To enhance control performance and minimise the chattering problem of sliding mode controller, a disturbance observer is designed and incorporated to refine HOISMC’s control law. Simulation outcomes of the ISSA have been evaluated and compare with existing optimisation technique and the results reported in the state-of-art. The comparative study confirms the superiority of DO-HOISMC over the others controllers in terms of damping system oscillations. Moreover, the mastery of the DO-HOISMC is assessed incorporating system nonlinearities and control input-delay. Finally, the closed-loop robust stability of the studied HPS has been affirmed by applying Kharitonov’s theorem considering parametric uncertainties.
  Keywords: hybrid power system; HPS; disturbance observer; DO; salp swarm algorithm; SSA; higher-order integral sliding mode controller; HOISMC; Kharitonov’s theorem.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJAAC.2023.10045891
   
  
• Dynamic-robust controller applied to a Temperature TITO process  
  by Monica Contreras, Marco Herrera, Paulo Leica, Oscar Camacho 
  Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to develop a dynamic sliding mode control (DSMC) for a two-input two-output (TITO) temperature system. First, the interaction between variables is analysed using the relative gains matrix (RGA) and the Bristol criterion to design a decoupler scheme. After that, a DSMC control scheme for the TITO system is then proposed using a decoupler; in addition, the proposed controller is tuned using the mean-variance mapping optimisation (MVMO) method. Next, experimental tests of reference changes, parametric uncertainties, and experimental disturbances are performed on the Temperature Control Lab (TCLab). Finally, the performance of the proposed controller is compared against a PI controller and an SMC using TVu, ISE, and IAE performance indices, where it is shown that the proposed controller can reduce the chattering effect for the TITO system.
  Keywords: dynamic sliding mode control; DSMC; TITO process.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJAAC.2023.10046544
   
  
• Autonomous decision-making and resource scheduling for integrated radio frequency system  
  by Hui Xue, Tao Zhang 
  Abstract: In view of the limitations of volume and weight of equipment assembled on airborne platform, integrated RF system will be the development trend of RF system on remote unmanned airborne vehicle (UAV). In order to improve the detection performances of an intelligence UAV integrated RF system, this paper proposes an agent-based RF system architecture for UAV integrated RF system. The proposed system architecture which can realise the autonomous decision-making of RF tasks and intelligent resource scheduling according to the obtained target information and threat environment. Firstly, the proposed system architecture of integrated RF system is introduced; secondly, the autonomous decision algorithm embedded in agent is proposed; Thirdly, the improved multi-task resource scheduling algorithm is described; then, the simulation experiments for UAV integrated RF system under different threat environments are given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed system architecture, autonomous decision-making algorithm and resource scheduling algorithm.
  Keywords: autonomous decision-making; resource scheduling; integrated RF; agent; PetriNet.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJAAC.2023.10046708
   
  
• Iterative Learning algorithms-based multiplicative thrust fault reconstruction and tolerant control for spacecraft formation flying systems  
  by Yule Gui, Qingxian Jia, Huayi Li, Zhong Zheng 
  Abstract: In this paper, the issues of multiplicative thruster fault reconstruction and reconfigurable fault-tolerant control for spacecraft formation flying system subject to loss of thruster effectiveness and a series of external space perturbations are investigated using iterative learning algorithms. Inspired by sliding mode methodology, a new Robust Iterative Learning Observer (RILO) is explored to reconstruct thrust effectiveness factor. Subsequently, a learning state-feedback fault-tolerant control approach is proposed based on the fault signals obtained from the RILO to guarantee the closed-loop spacecraft formation configuration is accurately maintained in the presence of multiplicative thrust faults and space perturbations. Finally, numerical simulations clearly validate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed thrust fault-reconstructing and tolerant configuration maintenance control schemes for spacecraft formation flying systems.
  Keywords: spacecraft formation; fault reconstruction; iterative learning observer; fault-tolerant control; learning state-feedback control.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJAAC.2023.10046838
   
  
• Event-triggered containment control for multi-agent systems with switching topology in finite-time  
  by Wenjun Wei, Jiahui Lv, Fengyang Gao, Liben Yang 
  Abstract: In this paper, a distributed finite-time state observer and event-triggered control strategy are proposed for the event-triggered multi-agent containment control in finite-time, which considering that the network topology is brittle to switch due to disturbances and emergencies in actual communication. Firstly, we design a distributed control protocol through finite-time state observer under switching topology, which the follower agents can quickly converge to the convex hull formed by multiple leaders. The switching topology is more practical. We prove that the designed state observer can estimate the external system status in a finite-time by using graph theory and Lyapunov stability theory. Secondly, the event-triggered control mechanism is designed to reduce the communication times and the updating times between multi-agents and greatly decrease the energy consumption on the basis of satisfying the finite-time containment control. We also prove that the designed control strategy can eliminate Zeno behaviour. Finally, the effectiveness of the theoretical results is verified by a simulation example.
  Keywords: containment control; event-triggered; finite-time; multi-agent systems; switching topology.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJAAC.2023.10047051
   
  
• Voltage control in a wind-diesel power system using adaptive RBF sliding mode control of STATCOM  
  by Zahid Afzal Thoker, Shameem Ahmad Lone 
  Abstract: In this paper, voltage control with the design and application of sliding mode control based on adaptive radial basis function (RBF) neural network of a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) is proposed. Firstly, the mathematical model of the wind-diesel power system with STATCOM has been established. With the construction of the switching manifold, a sliding mode controller is designed which generates the control law with which the converter operation of STATCOM is controlled to maintain the reactive power balance in the system. An adaptive RBF neural network is used to approximate the system function in the sliding mode controller to improve the performance of the system. The stability of the system with the control laws is guaranteed using Lyapunov stability criteria. MATLAB simulations are performed, and the system is exposed to disturbances in load and wind power. Comparative analysis of voltage deviations is presented to show the efficacy of the proposed methodology.
  Keywords: wind-diesel power system; static synchronous compensator; STATCOM; sliding mode controller; SMC; adaptive RBF neural network.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJAAC.2023.10047424
   
  
• Multi-Input Multi-Output Sliding-Mode Control of LCL-based Grid-?Connected Modified Y-Source Inverter for Power Conditioning of Photovoltaic Generation  
  by Seyede Tahere Hashemi, Mehdi Siahi, Majid Hosseinpour, Javad Olamaei 
  Abstract: A multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) sliding mode controller has been proposed in this paper in order to control a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power conditioning system with an LCL filter. In the proposed control approach, no linear-control method is used and simultaneous control of both the AC and DC inverter sides is done. Therefore, all the state variables are controlled simultaneously. The proposed sliding mode control (SMC) method provides several advantages, including zero grid current error, easy implementation, and robustness against parameter uncertainties of the investigated system. Hence, the resonance in the inverter output resulting from the LCL filter can be eliminated using SMC with no need for active damping techniques. Applying this approach can bring about maximum power point tracking (MPPT), control of the DC side, and injection of high-quality current into the grid at the AC side of the inverter. Various simulations have been conducted in MATLAB/Simulink for the proposed system.
  Keywords: AC side control; DC side control; multi-input-multi-output; MIMO-SMC; modified Y-source; PV; single-phase; sliding mode control; SMC.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJAAC.2023.10048379
   
  
• An experimental study of spatial temperature profile control of a distributed parameter heating system using model predictive control  
  by Jaivik Mankad, Nitin Padhiyar 
  Abstract: The problem of profile control is important owing to its industrial significance. This problem is viewed as a multi-objective problem and solved using different approaches such as augmentation of objectives or prioritised solving of each objective separately. The focus in our work is to experimentally study the lexicographic optimisation approach for prioritised control of different objectives. An experimental rig has been designed for the purpose of priority driven spatial property control of a distributed parameter system (DPS). The setup consists of a thin metal plate with four temperature sensors and four electric heaters located axially. Through this experimental rig, we demonstrate the concept of controlling the spatial profile in a DPS and address the relevant issues. Specifically, when the desired spatial profile is unachievable, we may be interested in controlling different parts of the profile depending upon their importance. We show an MPC formulation to achieve such a spatial profile control with user defined priority using lexicographic optimisation approach in this work.
  Keywords: model predictive control; MPC; distributed parameter system; prioritised MPC; lexicographic optimisation; spatial temperature profile.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJAAC.2023.10048889
   
  
• Novel Adaptive control for avoiding fuzzy rule explosion in nonlinear systems  
  by ASHWANI KHAROLA 
  Abstract: The study highlights three different control techniques namely proportional integral derivative (PID), adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and neural networks (NNs) for control of highly nonlinear triple inverted pendulum system mounted on a carriage. The objective is to control the complete system within 3.0 sec using above mentioned controllers. The controllers were compared in terms of performance attributes like settling time, steady state error and overshoot responses. The results indicate better performance of ANFIS controller compared to PID and NN controllers. The study also highlights the effect of shape, number and type of membership function on training of ANFIS controller. The study further proposes an ANFIS controller which has been designed using only three membership functions and can successfully solve the problem of rule explosion associated with fuzzy controllers.
  Keywords: triple inverted pendulum; fuzzy rule explosion; artificial neural networks; proportional integral derivative; PID; ANFIS; MATLAB; Simulink; simulation.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJAAC.2023.10049482
   
  
• Prototype development and levitation of a large rectangular platform with multi-axis control  
  by Janardan Kundu 
  Abstract: This paper highlights design, fabrication, control and an investigation for transverse movement of an electromagnetic attraction type levitation setup where a large rectangular platform of weighing 610 gm has been successfully and steadily levitated. The full prototype has been developed in lab with spirit level accuracy. Parameter uncertainty and robustness issues have been considered precisely. The paper also presents system modelling, parameter evaluation, fabrication and single axis control of lab developed levitation systems for the applications in Maglev vehicle. The controller implementation has been done successfully and tested the waveforms accordingly. Feedback sensors are being applied in 3-directions for corner to corner coils are series connected, two identical two loop controllers has been successfully implemented and test waveforms are being taken accordingly.
  Keywords: Electromagnetic levitation; Lead compensator; Window comparator; Frequency analysis.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJAAC.2023.10050977
   
  
• Fractional order output-feedback tube-MRAC design for a class of fractional order transfer functions with unknown parameters  
  by Hanane Balaska, Samir Ladaci 
  Abstract: In this paper, we address a class of fractional order systems defined by transfer function with unknown parameters and present a novel fractional order tube model reference adaptive control (FOTMRAC) design for their control despite the fact that the only available signals are the input and output of the system. This is the main difference with preceding authors’ recent study, where the states of the system where available. Based on the output feedback, this strategy is a generalisation of the tube model reference adaptive control (TMRAC) to fractional order systems. The basic idea is to replace the single reference trajectory well known in reference model control theory by a set of admissible trajectories called tube reference. Also, an optimisation problem is resolved online in order to update the correction control signal minimising a control cost criterion. The asymptotic stability is proved using the Lyapunov extension theorem. Simulation results illustrate and confirm the effectiveness of the proposed control design.
  Keywords: fractional adaptive control; fractional order linear system; model reference adaptive control; MRAC; optimisation criterion; output feedback; performance tube; unknown parameters.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJAAC.2023.10051012
   
  
• Design of a new hybrid linearizing-Backstepping controller using quantum state equations and quantum spins  
  by Nadjet Zioui, Aicha Mahmoudi, Mohamed Tadjine 
  Abstract: Automatic control theory has brought many new innovative process control strategies and solutions to stability and trajectory tracking problems in engineering, for linear as well as for nonlinear systems. With the emergence of quantum computing concepts and technologies, quantum versions of conventional modelling techniques, control tools and strategies are needed to take full advantage of the future quantum computers. This work presents firstly the new quantum formulation of a special class of state-space equations. Secondly, quantum state feedback making it possible to control a desired qubit state is introduced based on quantum spins. This new method uses the Hermitian quantum rotations operators. The state variables can also be computed using the inherent property of reversibility of the quantum operators. Thirdly, simulation results considering both constant and time-varying references demonstrated the effectiveness of the method compared to the conventional competitor with very satisfactory results in terms of speed and resources use efficiency.
  Keywords: qubit states; quantum spins; state space equations; quantum linearising control; QLC; backstepping methodology; quantum state feedback control.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJAAC.2023.10051373