Search

• We construct a multidimensional poverty index for chinese counties. • We establish a staggered DID model that controls for selection bias. • Highways significantly reduce county poverty. • The poverty-reduction effect of highways is conditional. • The poverty-reduction effect of highways diminishes with increasing altitude. This paper establishes a staggered difference-in-differences (DID) model to estimate the impact of highways on regional poverty using county-level panel data from China. We construct a multidimensional poverty index and use satellite-monitored night light brightness as a proxy indicator. The results demonstrate that highways significantly reduce county poverty and that the poverty reduction effect becomes increasingly pronounced over time. This result remains robust after controlling for non-random highway route selection. Furthermore, the poverty reduction effect of highways is conditional, with a significant poverty reduction effect in the less economically-developed western regions and non-municipal counties, and no significant poverty reduction effect in the economically-developed eastern and central regions and municipal districts. Moreover, the poverty reduction effect of highways gradually decreases as the average altitude of counties increases. Our tests provide empirical evidence for effective road investments in developing countries that incorporate poverty alleviation targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The slant-axis telescope has a novel structure, and its unique structural design is more suitable for extreme environment such as the South Pole. However, there is a lack of research on the dynamic modeling and the controller design of slant-axis telescopes at home and abroad. This paper proposes a dynamic modeling and robust control method for slant-axis telescope. Firstly, the dynamical analysis of the slant-axis telescope is carried out. The 2-degree-of-freedom rigid body model of the telescope is established by the Lagrange method. Next, combining the flexibility of the driver system and disturbance, a mathematical model of the rigid-flexible coupling system of the slant-axis telescope is completed. Then, according to the established mathematical model, a sliding mode controller based on the disturbance observer is designed to suppress the disturbance, and realize the robust control of the slant-axis telescope. Finally, the simulation results show that the disturbance observer based sliding mode controller gets better dynamic performance and anti-disturbance characteristics than the traditional Proportion-Integration-Differentiation (PID) controller in the case of considering nonlinear external interference of the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessments of action semantics consistently reveal markers of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, neurophysiological signatures of the domain remain under-examined in this population, especially under conditions that allow patients to process stimuli without stringent time constraints. Here we assessed event-related potentials and time-frequency modulations in healthy individuals (HPs) and PD patients during a delayed-response semantic judgment task involving related and unrelated action-picture pairs. Both groups had shorter response times for related than for unrelated trials, but they exhibited discrepant electrophysiological patterns. HPs presented significantly greater N400 amplitudes as well as theta enhancement and mu desynchronization for unrelated relative to related trials. Conversely, N400 and theta modulations were abolished in the patients, who further exhibited a contralateralized cluster in the mu range. None of these patterns were associated with the participants' cognitive status. Our results suggest that PD involves multidimensional neurophysiological disruptions during action-concept processing, even under task conditions that elicit canonical behavioral effects. New constraints thus emerge for translational neurocognitive models of the disease. • We examined EEG markers of action concept relatedness in Parkinson's disease (PD). • Patients and controls were faster to process related than unrelated action trials. • Underlying N400 and theta effects were robust in controls and absent in patients. • Accompanying mu rhythms were contralateralized in patients. • Key neural signatures of action relatedness and grounding are altered in PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agility of satellites equipped with large and flexible structures, such as solar panels or antennas, poses a significant challenge due to the influence of elastic dynamics on attitude motion. This results in reduced pointing accuracy and dimensional stability of the payload. To address this issue, an Active Collocated Attitude Control (ACAC) system has been developed, utilizing actuators for both the elastic dynamics (distributed piezoelectric devices) and attitude control (ON-OFF thrusters). In the initial phase of the project, the algorithm underwent extensive verification using a high-fidelity numerical model of a spacecraft with two very-low frequency flexible solar panels and a payload consisting of two long booms and a transversal antenna's reflector. The paper focuses on the second phase of the project, which revolves around the experimental verification of the control architecture concept. To achieve this, a scaling procedure employing the dynamic analogy approach was implemented to determine the design parameters of a free-floating platform equipped with elastic appendages. This ensured that the resulting elastic multibody system displayed similar dynamic behavior to the full-scale satellite. Based on the scaling parameters, a test rig was manufactured, and actuators and sensors were optimally positioned. The performance of the ACAC system was then compared to that of traditional benchmark controllers. The results show that the ACAC system demonstrates superior capabilities in performing fast slew maneuvers without developing unstable interactions with the elastic dynamics. • Agile maneuvers of large satellites could excite rigid-flexible interactions. • A robust control of attitude and elastic dynamics is implemented to improve agility. • Performance obtained with numerical models is verified with scaled-down test-rig. • Simplified dynamic equations are developed to determine scaling conditions. • Experimental results of the robust control are consistent with simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper concentrates on robust attitude control issues for spacecraft formation in gravitational-wave detection missions. Notably, with the large-scale communication delays brought by the million kilometers-scale inter-satellite distance, the exponential convergence of the closed-loop delayed system is firstly achieved via a new delay-dependent nominal attitude coordinated control scheme. Then, a finite-time disturbance observer is deployed to reconstruct the unknown lumped disturbance from internal uncertainties and the external environment. Meanwhile, an integral sliding manifold is embedded in the delay-dependent attitude controller for superior systems' robustness. Finally, two simulation examples illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed attitude control strategy for in-orbit gravitational-wave detection spacecraft systems. • Spacecraft formation attitude control in gravitational-wave detection is studied. • Large-scale communication delays (LCD) among formation members are firstly modeled. • An attitude coordinated controller is put forward to handle the LCD. • An integral sliding manifold with disturbance observer is embedded for superior robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an anti-unwinding adaptive robust backstepping control law is proposed to solve the attitude control problem of rigid spacecraft with external disturbances and inertia uncertainties. A new variable based on hyperbolic sine functions is designed to prevent the unwinding phenomenon, and then a novel robust backstepping controller is developed. Initially, a nonlinear tracking law is designed to obtain the desired angular velocity and to ensure that the attitude maneuvering system could have two equilibrium points. Subsequently, an adaptive robust control law is devised, which incorporates the adaptive estimation method to update the inertial parameters in real-time. Moreover, the bounded external disturbances are taken into account in the design of the control law, and thus the robustness of the attitude control system is improved. Furthermore, the global asymptotic stability of the attitude control system is verified by the Lyapunov-Krasovskii theorem. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control law, as well as the anti-unwinding characteristics are perfectly validated during the attitude maneuver of rigid spacecraft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on enhancing the control precision and efficiency of a two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) space manipulator used for active space debris removal. The unpredictable space environment introduces large uncertainties, which introduces unique challenges beyond the capabilities of a standalone computed torque controller and degrades control performance. To address this problem, a robust controller is developed, integrating traditional techniques such as sliding mode and computed torque control with a Neural Network framework. This synergy leverages both methods' strengths—conventional controls' accuracy and Neural Network's adaptability. The integration of Neural Network-based sliding mode control complements the robustness of computed torque control by actively mitigating uncertainties and disturbances inherent in the space environment. The 2-DOF manipulator's state variables model the system dynamics, necessitating accurate relative motion estimation between the manipulator and debris. The global asymptotic stability of the developed algorithm is demonstrated through the Lyapunov theorem, guaranteeing error convergence to zero. The convergence, stability, precision, tracking errors, and responsiveness of the controller have been analysed and validated by the MATLAB Simulink simulations. The novel approach's performance effectiveness is substantiated by numerical simulations and a comparative analysis with conventional computed torque control. Outcomes highlight the superior precision and efficiency in manipulator tracking the trajectory, validating the integrated controller's potential for successful active space debris removal. • Neural network-based sliding mode computed torque control (NSMCTC) approach ensures precise space manipulator position tracking. • NSMCTC reduces chattering and improves convergence for enhanced trajectory control in dynamic space environments. • Lyapunov stability theorem validates uniform and ultimate boundedness, ensuring global asymptotic stability. • Self-learning capability and low computational complexity distinguish NSMCTC from traditional computed torque control methods. • Potential applications extend to spacecraft manipulator attitude control, offering adaptability for safe debris capture in multidimensional dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the escalating demand and supply constraints for semiconductor devices, manufacturing techniques such as thermal atomic layer etching (ALE) have been utilized, which require robust temperature control systems. Radiative heating with lamps is a promising method for achieving fast and precise temperature control. However, there is limited research in analyzing the dynamic control of radiative lamp heating systems. In this study, a transient, two-dimensional (2-D) radiative heating model in a cross-flow thermal ALE reactor is constructed through Ansys Fluent. A sparse identification (SINDy) modeling approach is applied to build a reduced-order dynamic model for the prediction of system states in the control system. A model predictive controller (MPC) is then developed to bring the wafer surface temperature to the target temperature while preserving the uniformity of the temperature on the wafer surface. Control is implemented by adjusting the powers of three groups of heating lamps independently. Notably, a novel feedback-based time-varying steady-state penalty approach is applied with the MPC in this study, which enables the system to reach the target temperature range within 10 s while maintaining temperature uniformity for 1000 s. • Computational fluid dynamics modeling of wafer temperature profile. • Sparse model identification using spatio-temporal temperature data. • Model predictive control using nonlinear sparse model. • Implementation of MPC on CFD model of the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pressure control method that incorporates parameter adaptation has been devised for the pressure control system of pintle solid rocket motors, which exhibit notable nonlinearities and uncertainties in parameters. Firstly, the mathematical relationship between pressure and pintle displacement is derived using the zero-dimensional interior ballistic model., and the state space equation is deduced by incorporating the dynamics of motor inertia load. Secondly, by capitalizing on the robustness of robust control, the parameter identification capabilities of adaptive control, and the rigor of Lyapunov stability theory, the proposed approach enables precise control of the pintle position while effectively addressing uncertainties, thereby enhancing the overall performance and stability of the system. Finally, the aforementioned theoretical framework has been validated through rigorous numerical simulations. The findings demonstrate a notable enhancement in the pressure response speed of the adaptive robust controller, with improvements of 10.01 % and 13.16 %, 0.03 % and 1.54 %, 0.06 % and 22.39 % in different orders of magnitude of free volume as compared to the robust controller and PID controller, respectively. Moreover, it is evident that the adaptive robust controller relies on the accuracy of the model. The applied controller demonstrates notable advantages in terms of stability, robustness, and accuracy, thereby substantially enhancing the overall performance of the pressure control system. • The state space equation for the pressure of the pintle solid rocket motors is derived. • The pressure dynamics equation and the motor inertial load equation are combined. • An adaptive robust controller with respect to pressure is designed. • The controller response laws for various free volumes, pressure index and characteristic velocity are obtained. • The adaptive robust controller exhibits a higher dependence on model accuracy is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a delayed distributed proportional control is developed for a class of multiple-input-multiple-output systems in order to reduce the effects of external disturbances and uncertain dynamics. The system under consideration is a three degrees-of-freedom planar robot, consisting of an active joint driving the first link and passive flexible joints for the second and third links. The control challenge for this system is to drive the flexible arm around the desired setpoint or trajectory by controlling the first link. Actually, by using a specific Lyapunov-Krasovskii storage functional associated with a constrained optimization problem, the robustness of the proposed proportional retarded control action is achieved. This analysis, together with the attractive ellipsoid concept allows to conclude with Ultimately-Uniformly-Bounded stability. The closed-loop control algorithm is tested in numerical simulation and a comparative study with some existing recent control schemes based on the performance error is presented. • The proposed control scheme belongs to a class of multivariable proportional time delay distributed controller. • After finite time the trajectories of a flexible manipulator stay within reduced size attractive ellipsoid. • Ultimate Uniformly Bounded Stability of the controlled system is demonstrated by using a Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional. • The proposed algorithm can also be adapted for a class of nonlinear uncertain/disturbed multivariable output systems. • A sufficient condition to guarantee the feasibility of specific Bilinear Matrix Inequality is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ESA Solar Orbiter was launched from Cape Canaveral in collaboration with NASA on the February 10, 2020 to start its journey around the Sun, with the commissioning phase ending in April 2020. After commissioning, ESA set a tighter pointing requirement goal to further improve the performance in Fine Pointing Mode, in preparation of the upcoming start of Science Phase. The first part of this paper outlines the end-to-end process which allowed - in just six months – to update the Fine Pointing Mode Design, re-tune the controller with refined assumptions taken from flight data and robust methods and execute full validation of the new AOCS Software on the Avionics Test bench at Airbus Defence and Space. The second part of the paper describes the upload in flight of the new Software and the analysis of the on-orbit pointing performance, which showed a significant improvement with respect to the previous one, thus contributing to the success of the Mission's scientific goals. • Solar Orbiter Payload Instruments required a better pointing jitter performance (Relative Pointing Error) after launch • Root cause analysis on flight telemetry to identify driver contributors to pointing error • Fine Pointing Mode controller design and tuning updated with refined inputs based on flight data and with robust control methods • Controller uploaded in flight significantly improved the Spacecraft pointing performance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel I&I adaptive scheme is presented. • Immersion and invariance based adaptive terminal sliding mode control is proposed. • Immersion and invariance based adaptive terminal sliding mode control with saturation compensation is presented. This work investigates attitude control of spacecraft with uncertainties and input saturation. An immersion and invariance based adaptive robust control (IIARC) is proposed to improve tracking performance of spacecraft. The proposed approach consists of an immersion and invariance (I&I) estimator, a robust adaptive law, and a terminal sliding mode control (TSMC). The continuous fast TSMC is designed to stabilize the system and obtain fast convergence rate. To estimate the disturbances and uncertainties, I&I methodology is introduced into the proposed approach. The robust adaptive law is applied such that the prior information of disturbances is not required. IIARC with saturation compensation (IIARCSC) is presented to reduce the effect of input saturation on the attitude tracking of spacecraft. It is proved that the developed approach could guarantee the finite-time convergence (FTC). Extensive comparative simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the control problems of distributed attitude coordination for multiple flexible spacecraft based on the feedback of inertial vector measurements. It is assumed that the angular velocity information is not available, and the modal variable cannot be measured. The orientation error model with vector measurements is introduced. And then the distributed attitude synchronization control scheme is presented without actuator faults or disturbances. It is guaranteed that the desired equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable and the undesired equilibrium is unstable. Meanwhile, the domain of attraction is given by inequality constraints. In the case that there exist actuator faults and external disturbances, a robust fault-tolerant control strategy is developed to realize attitude synchronization. The hyperbolic tangent function in place of sign function is adopted to eliminate external disturbances. Meanwhile, the adaptive laws are proposed to estimate actuator faults. The salient feature of these control approaches is that no modal variable observers are utilized and the control schemes are robust to the inertia uncertainty of spacecraft. Finally, numerical simulations are implemented to manifest the validity of the presented control schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) is a fundamental type of bio-electrochemical system. MEC is a novel and emerging renewable energy technology that is based on biomass. The behavior of the MEC system is highly nonlinear due to the complexity of its dynamics. For the desired optimal production of hydrogen, feedback control of MEC processes is necessary. Due to the novelty of MEC, limited research is available on its control. Studies on linear model-based robust control of MEC processes are missing. In this article, we develop a nonlinear dynamic model for MEC, linearize this model, and calculate a linear time-invariant transfer function. Based on this linearization, a fixed-structure, optimal and robust controller is proposed to achieve a fast-settling time exhibiting no overshoot and having zero steady-state error. The robustness of the developed controller is evaluated for parameter uncertainty, measurement noise, and disturbance rejection. Batch biomass processes are fed only at the start of each process cycle. The output does not follow the desired response when the substrate or biomass is consumed. Then, the error accumulates, and it causes the control effort to increase unboundedly. The existing literature on control of fed-batch MEC processes does not consider this integral windup phenomenon. In this article, we also develop an anti-windup control strategy to eliminate the integral windup error and to avoid any possible instability or destruction. The overall conclusion of our study is that the developed robust controller achieves a faster and more robust response than the existing controllers. We provide an anti-integral windup solution to eliminate windup errors in feedback control of fed-batch MEC processes. [Display omitted] • We design an optimal robust controller for a dynamic model of microbial electrolysis cells. • We linearize the non-linear model and calculate a time-invariant transfer function. • We evaluate uncertainty, noise, and disturbance of the controller. • We develop a strategy to eliminate windup error and avoid instability. • Our controller achieves a more fast and robust response than the existing controllers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fuel cell airpath multivariable control problem of optimally coordinating the electric compressor motor and the back-pressure valve to achieve efficient and safe conditions, for both steady state and transient operation, has not been completely addressed in the literature. This paper proposes a nonlinear model predictive control strategy, implemented via the Garrett Motion proprietary NMPC toolbox, to regulate the oxygen stoichiometry and the cathode pressure of an automotive fuel cell airpath system, while avoiding compressor surge and air starvation. The controller set-points are optimized, using the nonlinear model, to achieve the maximum system power as a function of the operating stack condition. The effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control strategy have been validated by means of a simulated World harmonized Light-duty vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC), under both state feedback and model parameters uncertainties. [Display omitted] • MPC ensures compressor surge and oxygen starvation avoidance under severe dynamic scenarios. • Controller robustness assessed via a WLTC regulatory cycle under noisy and uncertain conditions. • Fuel efficiency is not significantly sensitive with respect to different controller calibrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We elicit college students' willingness to pay (WTP) for an early versus late job shift in an unsafe neighborhood. • Subjects with higher personal safety concerns and women forego more earnings for the earlier shift. • Results are robust to control for a wide range of confounders. • Higher safety standards around jobs may reduce distortions in the labor market. We elicit college students' willingness to pay (WTP) for an early versus late job shift in an unsafe neighborhood. We find that concerns about late shift safety and gender are determinants of differences in WTP: Subjects with higher personal safety concerns (i.e., feeling unsafe on the way to or around work) and women forego more earnings to secure the early shift. Yet, we find no differences in WTP when the job is remote. Controlling for a wide range of confounders, such as risk preferences, morning preferences, time use, demographic characteristics, victimization, and information about crime, does not meaningfully affect the effect of safety concerns. Victimization and time use mediate the gender gap. Exploiting past administrative data, we find that subjects with higher WTP for the safer on-site shift are less likely to enroll in evening classes and leave campus earlier during the term, providing evidence for the external validity of our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The TM capture is first reformulated to nonlinear quadratic optimal control. • The high-efficiency NMPC with robustness and optimality is proposed for TM capture. • The mixed state and control constraints are integrated into the robust optimal control. • The proposed method guarantees the computational efficiency. This paper presents a nonlinear high-efficiency model predictive control (NHMPC) with constraints designed for the test mass (TM) capture phase of the drag-free satellite about gravitational wave observatory. To avoid collisions between test mass and satellite cavity, TM capture is the essential technology for drag-free satellite. Test mass is located inside an electrostatic suspension and locked by a clamp mechanism initially. The test masses are released with high initial offsets and velocities when the mechanism is retracted. The purpose of this phase is to guarantee the TM to be positioned at the cage center and attitude aligned with the local cage frame. Due to the low actuation authority of electrostatic suspension along with critical initial offsets and velocities, it is a challenging task to design the attitude and translation control schemes with simultaneous consideration of system performance and energy consumption. For the problem given above, the TM capture can be reformulated into a nonlinear quadratic optimal control problem with the state and input constraints. A nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) structure is also designed to handle the noises by forming a closed loop. This control framework can realize optimality and robustness in a compromise. To improve the speed of solving high-dimensional nonlinear optimal control online for MPC, the indirect Chebyshev pseudospectral method with constraints is employed. The convergence and stability of the control loop are analyzed. Simulation examples show that the feasibility and performance of the designed control loop are verified compared with the existing methods and computation times in the millisecond range can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synchronization of memristive neural networks (MNNs) by using network control scheme has been widely and deeply studied. However, these researches are usually restricted to traditional continuous-time control methods for synchronization of the first-order MNNs. In this paper, we study the robust exponential synchronization of inertial memristive neural networks (IMNNs) with time-varying delays and parameter disturbance via event-triggered control (ETC) scheme. First, the delayed IMNNs with parameter disturbance are changed into first-order MNNs with parameter disturbance by constructing proper variable substitutions. Next, a kind of state feedback controller is designed to the response IMNN with parameter disturbance. Based on feedback controller, some ETC methods are provided to largely decrease the update times of controller. Then, some sufficient conditions are provided to realize robust exponential synchronization of delayed IMNNs with parameter disturbance via ETC scheme. Moreover, the Zeno behavior will not happen in all ETC conditions shown in this paper. Finally, numerical simulations are given to verify the advantages of the obtained results such as anti-interference performance and good reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The preview tracking controller for interconnected continuous-time systems with parameter uncertainties is designed. • The previewable information is integrated to the states of error system, which is a new framework of preview control. • The performance index function and performance signal are constructed to research the influence of disturbance. • The proposed preview controller can make the tracking quality improves as the preview length increases. This paper designs a decentralized robust preview tracking controller for interconnected continuous-time systems with parametric uncertainties. The uncertain error system, which is composed of the derivative equation of the states, the tracking error dynamics, and the available future reference dynamics, is constructed. Then, a cost function is introduced to evaluate the tracking quality. Meanwhile, a performance signal is defined to discuss the influence of disturbances on the tracking performance. Based on the above operations, the considered tracking control is converted to the H-infinity control of the uncertain error system. The sufficient conditions which guarantee that the closed-loop system is asymptotically stable with H-infinity disturbance attenuation are derived. Further, the decentralized preview controller is obtained with the help of the linear matrix inequality (LMI). The result is applied to double-parallel inverted pendulum system and 3-interconnected machine power system. Numerical simulation demonstrate that the suggested preview controller can make the output track the reference signal, and the tracking quality be improved as the preview length increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of BeiDou System (BDS) and the fifth generation (5G) system is expected to provide positioning services with high accuracy and reliability. In particular, as an important technique in the 5G system, device-to-device (D2D) communication enables the cooperative positioning for the mobile users (MUs) to offer a large number of redundant measurements, where the received signal strength (RSS) measurement can be exploited due to its easy access and cost-efficiency. However, the RSS measurements cannot be accurately modelled to reflect the propagation distances. In this paper, a robust BDS/5G integrated positioning scheme based on the resilient observation model is proposed. Specifically, the extended Kalman filter (EKF) is exploited to recursively integrate the BDS pseudorange and RSS measurements to estimate the unknown position parameters. We establish a resilient observation model based on the signal propagation model in the 5G network, through which the errors in the RSS measurements are compensated for by the BDS pseudorange measurements. Moreover, the effects of the abnormal errors in both kinds of the measurements are controlled by the robust estimation through automatically adjusting the weights of the measurements. Numerical results show that the proposed resilient observation model can correct part of the errors in the RSS measurements and results in higher positioning accuracy compared to the positioning based on the RSS measurements or the direct integration of both the BDS pseudorange and RSS measurements in different scenarios. The proposed algorithm also outperforms the positioning based on the BDS pseudorange measurements when the visible satellites are not sufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyse around four decades of annual time-series data revisiting the long-run relationship between globalization and income inequality for 24 OECD member countries across different geographical regions, applying the Yamamoto-Kurozumi multivariate vector autoregression (VAR) framework. We observe that rapid globalization is not the key cause of rising long-run intra country inequality. This result is obtained by controlling for growth, terms of trade, minimum wage legislation, and unionization and found robust by further controlling education. Most of the countries in our study with a long-run relationship reveal the robust reverse causal impact of rising globalization on reducing inequality. Our impulse response breakdown across various sub-components of globalization suggests that economic globalization is not a primary contributor to long-run inequality for developed industrialized countries. Our framework guides future research to concentrate more on country-specific relationships, with policy guidance tailored for each country based on their level of economic development and institutional quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new mathematical model for rubber–tyred gantry cranes is developed considering the elastic structure. • Two advanced sliding mode controls are proposed to validate dynamic model. • Experiment shows the sufficient accuracy and effective application of modeling and control to cranes. A gantry crane holds strict underactuation and elastic multibody structure, and thus faces challenges in control system design. For model–based control, we develop a three–dimensional dynamic model of rubber–tyred gantry cranes considering the distributed mass and bending deformation of gantry. Such modelling hybridises the lumped model of trolley–bridge–payload motions and continuous model of gantry vibration. We consider a complex operation in which three motors composed of travelling trolley, pushing bridge and hoisting container run simultaneously. We propose two versions of the robust controller, namely, dynamic sliding mode and fast terminal sliding mode for tracking the three motions, eliminating swings of container, and reducing the bending vibration of elastic gantry. Simulation and experiment reveal precision and effective application of our crane modelling to control approaches. The control system effectively tracks and stabilises all outputs and achieves robustness when a crane suffers from the structural and parametric uncertainties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the nonfragile fuzzy tracking control technique of a spacecraft subject to external disturbances and control gain uncertainties. First, the Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy model of the tracking error dynamics is newly derived. Unlike the existing studies, we assume that the controller output is norm bounded and its gain matrix is perturbed because of the aging of the actuator. Next, a fuzzy disturbance observer (DOB) estimating the external disturbance is constructed to enhance the robustness of the control system. Then, a fuzzy controller feeding back the estimated disturbance is designed to attenuate external disturbances. In addition, we establish the linear matrix inequality (LMI) conditions, by which both the H ∞ disturbance attenuating performance and the asymptotic stabilization are guaranteed. From the solution to the LMI conditions, we obtain the controller and DOB gain matrices. Finally, a simulation example validates the disturbance estimation and tracking performance of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quadrotors are extremely agile UAVs with many unknowns regarding their moment of inertia, drag coefficients, and mass. Aside from aerodynamic turbulence, the quadrotor has a high level of nonlinearity due to its underactuated mechanical system. These last two factors cause issues that necessitate adaptive and robust control. A hybrid robust nonlinear control approach for a quadrotor is described in this research paper. To address the quadrotor trajectory tracking problem, a combination of backstepping and sliding-mode approaches based on proportional integral derivative (PID) surfaces is developed, with the Lyapunov method used to evaluate the control system's stability. The adaptive technique, in conjunction with sliding-mode and super-twisting algorithm, is then investigated in order to reduce the chattering impact of sliding mode control and estimate the various controller parameters. Super-twisting adaptive backstepping PID sliding mode approach for the quadrotor rotational and translational subsystems is presented to reduce error convergence time and improve speed tracking performance. The simulation results under various scenarios (parameters uncertainties under Gaussian random disturbances, constant and time-varying external disturbance) are given to demonstrate the efficacy and practicability of the proposed control. A comparative analysis is performed with different developed controllers using the performance of the integral of absolute error and the integral of the absolute value of the derivative of the control inputs to demonstrate the superiority and effectiveness of the designed control technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a fractional neural integral sliding-mode controller based on the Caputo-Fabrizio derivative and Riemann–Liouville integral for a robot manipulator mounted on a free-floating satellite is proposed and developed. The mathematical model is obtained by using the Euler–Lagrange formalism and generalized through the Caputo-Fabrizio derivative. The conventional neural integral sliding-mode controller reported in the literature were also developed to make a comparative analysis between both controllers. The controllers are tuned using a swarm intelligence algorithm. External disturbances are also considered. Simulation results show the superiority and robustness of the proposed control system for trajectory tracking tasks through the root-mean-square error. Additionally, two additional reference trajectories were considered. In this sense, the numerical simulations were done by using the same orders and gains, showing the robustness of our fractional-order control strategy under different operating conditions. Further, the proposed controller uses the fractional derivative in the sense of Caputo-Fabrizio which has not been used enough in the area of robotics, so this is a start to analyse the contributions that arise when using said derivative in this robotic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the adaptive neural networks (NNs) tracking control problem for a class of mobile robot systems with full-state constraints. First, to compensate for the adverse effects of the unknown dead-zone input, which is ubiquitous in mobile robot motors, a new robust control algorithm is put forward by the use of adaptive control technique. Then, a new unified barrier function (UBF) is constructed to deal with the problem of state constraints. Different from traditional barrier Lyapunov function (BLF) methods, which can only constrain the error of the system state and virtual controller, our proposed control method can constrain the system state directly by introducing a novel nonlinear transformation function and a new coordinate transformation. It's worth noting that the UBF can be utilized to deal with both constrained and unconstrained cases by resizing parameters without changing the control structure. Furthermore, adaptive NNs are introduced to approximate the uncertainty of the system. Finally, based on the Lyapunov stability theory, it is proved that all signals in the closed-loop system are ultimately bounded and the full-state constraints are never violated. The effectiveness of the control method is verified on simulation examples and a mobile robot experimental platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a robust coalitional model predictive control (MPC) approach where neighboring agents negotiate the bounds of their coupling variables. Also, the control variables of each agent are divided into a private part that is locally optimized, and a public part that is controlled by the corresponding neighbors. Under certain conditions, the agents communicate to update the bounds that determine the constraints on these private and public variables. Moreover, the mutual disturbances induced by coupling are considered using a tube-based approach, guaranteeing recursive feasibility and stability of the closed-loop system. The proposed method is tested on a simulated eight-input coupled tank benchmark to illustrate its benefits. • Splitting the global optimization problem by clustering model predictive controllers. • Coupling variables decomposition into multiple versions distributed among agents. • Event-based communication to negotiate the size of the input constraint set. • Mutual disturbances are considered using a tube-based approach. • Feasibility and stability of the closed-loop system are guaranteed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the control of Soil moisture, Nitrogen, and Salt content in soil using a robust control technique to maintain a desired quality of soil in a drip irrigated field. The control of this multi-variable system is accomplished by adopting two possible control structures namely (i) a decentralized controller backed by a feed-forward controller (ii) a diagonal centralized de-coupler along with a diagonal controller. The controllers are designed using quantitative feedback theory. The efficacy of the proposed techniques is validated through numerical simulations. A comparative study among the two methods reveals that the former performs better than the later. Another comparative study shows that the proposed controller outperforms some of the reported works. • Control of Soil moisture, Nitrogen and Salt content in a drip irrigated field. • A 3 × 3 uncertain model is derived from physical laws and practical data. • De-centralized QFT along with feed-forward controllers is proposed. • Centralized decoupler with diagonal QFT based controllers is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a gain-scheduling (GS) robust control strategy using the interpolation approach for ball screw drives while guaranteeing the system stability in the operating range. A set of linear-time-invariant (LTI) robust controllers is designed at selected table positions for the robustness against the uncertain load mass and the structural vibration suppression at those positions. By interpolating the LTI robust controllers, a GS robust controller is obtained to deal with the dynamic variations caused by the table motion. The closed-loop stability under the proposed GS robust controller is verified with the parameter-dependent Lyapunov function, which avoids tedious simulations to check the reliability of interpolating GS controllers before practical operations. The method presented in this paper enables the GS controller to consider the unmeasurable load mass in ball screw drives and simplifies the application complexity. The extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed GS robust controller significantly improves the tracking performance and the vibration suppression, in comparison to LTI controllers and GS controllers. • A gain-scheduling robust controller is developed for ball screw drives. • The table-position-dependent mode and the uncertain inertia are considered. • Parameter-dependent Lyapunov function is used to verify the closed-loop stability. • The proposed method improves the vibration suppression and trajectory tracking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposed a novel underactuated control scheme to deal with the rotational deployment of a dual-body tethered satellite system without using tangential force acting on the tether. To describe the spin motion of the system during tether deployment, the parent satellite is modeled as a rigid body. An underactuated robust control framework is developed to govern the rotational deployment of the system in the presence of disturbances and model uncertainty. The adaptation update laws are designed to adjust the gain of the robust term of the controller, thereby improving the anti-interference ability of the system to cope with the perturbations stimulated by the spinning of the parent satellite. The underactuated rotational deployment controller theoretically guarantees the stability of motion of the entire system, that is, the uniformly ultimate boundness of the closed-loop control system can be strictly proven using Lyapunov theory. Finally, simulations are performed to validate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme. • Rotational deployment strategy for a tethered satellite system is investigated. • The underactuated methodology governs the deployment process without resorting to tangential forces. • An adaptive-gain based robust controller improves the anti-interference ability of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the post-fault selection of an actuators configuration for flow-based networks with back-up components. The proposed reconfiguration methodology consists of an offline and an online phase. On the one hand, an offline analysis looks for the minimal configurations for which the economic cost of the (best) steady-state trajectory that can be achieved using a robust model predictive control (MPC) policy is admissible. On the other hand, at fault detection time, an online search for the best actuators configuration to cope with the transient induced by the fault is conducted in the superset of each minimal configuration calculated offline. With this strategy, the final new configuration is computed by sequentially solving a set of mixed-integer programs whose constraints are derived from single-layer robust MPC schemes coupled with local controllers designed for the a priori minimal configurations identified offline. A portion of a water transport network is used to show the performance the proposed solution. • Methodology for post-fault actuators configuration selection in flow-based networks. • Offline search for confs. with an economically admissible steady-state trajectory. • Online selection of the optimal configuration to deal with the fault-induced transient. • Simulation results show good performance in a large-scale water transport network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A parallel generalized Lagrange-Newton solver for the PDE-constrained optimization problems with inequality constraints. • Newton-Krylov solver for the resulting nonlinear system. • The overlapping additive Schwarz preconditioners for enhancing the scalability. • 2D and 3D large-scale simulations on supercomputers. In large-scale simulations of optimization problems constrained by partial differential equations (PDEs), the class of fully coupled methods is attracting great attention due to their impressive robustness and scalability. In this study, we introduce and investigate a parallel generalized Lagrange–Newton solver, which is based on the Lagrange active–set reduced–space (LASRS) method and the domain decomposition technique, for solving a family of PDE-constrained optimization problems with inequality constraints, i.e., the distributed control problem with bound-constraints. In the approach, a Lagrangian functional is constructed and the corresponding first-order optimality conditions are derived. After that, the resultant nonlinear algebraic system is solved by the active–set reduced–space method to guarantee the nonlinear consistency of the fully coupled system in a monolithic way. For the linear system arising at each generalized Newton iteration, the overlapping additive Schwarz preconditioners are employed to enhance the convergence of the linear iterations and the scalability of the large-scale simulations. Numerical results on the Tianhe supercomputer show that the fully coupled methods are robust and effective for some two- and three-dimensional distributed control problems with bound-constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under control action, wave energy devices typically display nonlinear hydrodynamic behaviour, making the design of energy maximising control somewhat onerous. One solution to approach the optimal performance for nonlinear control problem under model mismatches is to employ a linear control strategy, which can be robust to linear model mismatches. However, accurate characterisation of the uncertainty in the linear model is vital, if the controller is to adequately capture the full extent of the uncertainty, while not being overly conservative due to overestimation of the uncertainty. This paper describes a procedure, employing CFD-based numerical tank experiments, to accurately produce a nominal linear empirical transfer function model, along with an accurate estimate of the uncertainty bounds in that linear model, due to hydrodynamic uncertainty. A robust control case study is provided, illustrating the nominal model estimation process, and its corresponding uncertainty set, including the complete procedure, required to generate the robust controller. Robust control results, on the fully nonlinear CFD model, are provided to demonstrate the efficacy of the modelling and control philosophy. • Input signal synthesis and post-processing in numerical wave tank experiments. • Reducing conservatism in robust control of wave energy devices. • High-fidelity nominal and uncertainty model from computation fluid dynamics setup. • Quantifying hydrodynamic uncertainty description of the wave energy converters. • Empirical transfer function refinement based on physics of wave energy converters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Navigation and proximity to non-cooperative targets have garnered the interest of both academia and industry. This paper proposes a new space operation concept that would enable two CubeSats equipped with only optical sensor to achieve autonomous and robust proximity with uncooperative satellites. This is a novel strategy for distributed spacecraft missions and applications. Because optical sensors are lightweight and therefore reduce reliance on external measurement sources, the case for their use is compelling. Designing robust guidance and control algorithm is the greatest challenge for optical sensors because relative distance information is unavailable, whereas range information is required for safe proximity. The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel concept in which two CubeSats cooperate and share angle measurement data to approach uncooperative targets despite their maneuverability. This paper introduces a new guidance scheme for proximity operations, namely cooperative augmented proportional navigation (CAPN). Modern control law is applied along line-of-sight (LOS) while classical proportional navigation is applied in the normal direction of LOS. By measuring only elevation and azimuth angles between each chaser and the target, the algorithm can account for a maneuvering target. The cooperative scheme offers estimation-based distance measurement, which enhances the observability of angle-only navigation. Target's maneuverability and different control parameter settings have been considered in simulation scenarios. The degree of observability (DOO) is then introduced as the quantitative observability analysis metric to validate the effectiveness of the guidance scheme and precision of the estimation. The results of simulations have demonstrated that the CAPN proposed in this paper is capable of completing challenging proximity missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the problem of finite-time trajectory tracking control is studied and addressed for a 6 degree of freedom (DOF) autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) subjected to unknown dynamic model, stochastic perturbations, external disturbances (matched and mismatched) and saturation input nonlinearities. Based on the backstepping control approach, novel finite-time control inputs are designed and proposed. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) and finite-time adaptation laws are exploited to approximate the nonlinear dynamics of AUV, the stochastic perturbations and the upper bound of external disturbances. To handle the destructive effects of saturation input nonlinearities, finite-time auxiliary system method is utilized. To overcome the explosion of complexity problem of backstepping control strategy, compensator-based finite-time command filter approach is exploited. By utilizing the Lyapunov stability theorem, it is mathematically proven and demonstrated that the suggested nonlinear control inputs are able to guarantee the semi-global finite-time stability in probability (SGFSP) of the closed-loop AUV system. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate and depict the effectiveness and performance of the proposed neuro-adaptive robust finite-time control scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A resilient GESO based MRC control is designed to tackle the uncertainties and disturbances of turbofan systems. • The concise design of the control is developed by imposing the estimated disturbance on the control input channel. • The developed controller makes the state of the system to follow the given reference signal with accurate tracking. • Additive and multiplicative fluctuations are considered while designing the controller for better tracking performance. • The design procedure of the controller gain matrices are developed in the framework of linear matrix inequalities. The intention of this work is to analyse the issues of multiple disturbance estimation and rejection as well as robust tracking control design for turbofan systems subject to input gain perturbations. A standard generalized extended state observer is developed to estimate both the state disturbances and output measurement disturbances, simultaneously. Therewith, a modified repetitive controller is utilized with generalized extended state observer to track the states of the turbofan system accurately. Then, a new composite control strategy is developed by incorporating the estimates obtained via generalized extended state observer in modified repetitive controller to attenuate the effect of disturbances. Based on the pole placement technique, the observer gain is calculated and in accordance with Lyapunov stability theory, a set of sufficient conditions which ensures the robust asymptotic stability of the considered turbofan system is derived in the form of linear matrix inequalities. Moreover by offering the numerical examples with simulation results, the superiority of developed control strategy is validated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CO 2 refrigeration systems operate in both subcritical and transcritical modes. • Consistent control strategy can be independent of operation modes. • Average COP losses of typical systems with new control strategy are within −0.5%. CO 2 refrigeration systems operate in both subcritical and transcritical modes throughout a year. Different control strategies have been developed under different operation modes. However, this leads to complexity in implementation. In this work, we proposed a consistent control strategy (CCS) independent of operation modes for CO 2 refrigeration systems to provide stable operation in a simple way. This strategy is grounded on the fact that discharge pressure control in transcritical mode is essentially regulating refrigerant charge in a running system. The active pressure control can be avoided with fine refrigerant charge management, thereby employing the same control strategy as in subcritical mode. Through numerical simulations, the characteristics of optimum charge in three typical CO 2 refrigeration configurations were identified, which are single-stage system, two-stage system, and booster system. The optimum charges of three systems under different operating conditions all vary less than 22%, particularly the booster system fluctuates by 6% only. By adopting CCS, the average COP losses for three systems are all within -0.5% relative to their ideal optimum performance. Compared with re-optimized conventional multi-zone control, the maximum deviation is -0.3%. Therefore, the proposed new strategy can achieve comparable quasi-optimum performance, while significantly simplifying control scheme. It can be an attractive solution for small units which require simple and robust control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When controlling cyber–physical systems via consensus algorithms, the robustness issue is of paramount importance because of model mismatching and/or disturbances that generally modify the Laplacian flow dynamics associated to the overall network, compromising the possibility to achieve any expected, orchestrated emergent behavior. To face this issue, the Variable Structure Control (VSC) approach has recently been shown to be an effective tool in designing control protocols over networks, providing robustness and often yielding finite-time convergence. Moreover, VSC further enables the decoupling of simultaneous control objectives where reaching a consensus state is only part of a more complex task, for instance as it happens in distributed optimization. Thus motivated, this paper overviews, from a tutorial perspective, some selected recent advances in the application of VSC with Sliding Modes to design robust consensus controllers in both the leader-less and the leader-following settings. Efforts are also made to unify the notation and to discuss the theoretical foundations of the nonsmooth analysis tools at the basis of their design for a wide readership unfamiliar with these problems and formal tools. To this aim, examples supporting the treatment, and numerical simulations, are given and discussed in detail. Finally, hints for future investigations along with some current open problems are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]