A novel adaptive-rear axles steering controller for an 8 × 8 combat vehicle

Abstract

Multi-axle vehicles are widely used in several applications such as transportation, industrial, and military field, because of its higher reliability in comparison with conventional two axles vehicles. Despite that, there is a paucity of research studies that consider lateral stability enhancement of these vehicles, especially on rough terrain. This simulation-based research study fills this gap and introduces a new adaptive Active Rear Steering (ARS) controller that improves the lateral stability of an 8x8 combat vehicle for rough-terrain operation. The developed controller is designed utilizing the Integral Sliding Mode Control theory (ISMC) based on Gain-Scheduled Linear Quadratic Regulator (GSLQR). Besides, the GSLQR control gains are optimized by a Genetic Algorithm (GA) toolbox using a new synthesized cost function to ensure asymptotic stability. Furthermore, a new Adaptive-ISMC (AISMC) is introduced by using genetic programming to generate control equations that can replace the developed high-dimension GSLQR gains and facilitate future hardware implementation. The developed controller is evaluated by performing a series of simulation-based Double Lane Change (DLC) maneuvers on several rough terrains. The evaluation is conducted for both high friction and slippery surfaces at high and moderate speed, consequently. The results show high fidelity and robustness of the developed controller in comparison with a previously designed optimal LQR controller.