A Comparative Study of Particle Swarm Optimized Control Techniques for Active Suspension System

Abstract

This work presents a comparative study for performance evaluation of quarter vehicle Active Suspension System (ASS) using different control techniques. Linear and non-linear mathematical models of the systems are presented and controlled using Proportional Integral Derivative (PID), Feedback Linearization, and Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC). Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) technique is applied to optimize the gains of the implemented controllers. A simulation process is done using MATLAB/SIMULINK and the results show that the proposed PSO-optimized PID controller has enhanced the root mean square (r.m.s) values of ride comfort, load carrying, and road holding of the linear suspension system by 26.82%, 20.95%, and 22.72% respectively compared to the linear passive suspension system. Whereas, for the nonlinear suspension system, the PSO-optimized FLC has provided better compromise of the performance criteria. The controller has improved the r.m.s values of ride comfort, load carrying, and road handling by 40.61%, 44.21%, and 27.46% respectively compared to the non-linear passive suspension system.