Fast nonlinear model predictive controller using parallel PSO based on divide and conquer approach

Abstract

The high computationally expensive nature of nonlinear optimisation algorithms leads to limitations of its use in a real-time era. So, this is the main challenge against researchers to develop a fast algorithm that is used in real-time computations. This paper proposes a fast nonlinear model predictive control algorithm that utilises a parallel particle swarm optimisation with synchronous and asynchronous methods inclusion, that handles nonlinear optimisation problems with constraints. The additional divide and conquer approach of the proposed algorithm improves the speed of computation and disturbance rejection capability which proves its efficacy in real-time applications. A highly nonlinear fast dynamic real-time inverted pendulum system with hybrid embedded hardware platform (ARM + FPGA) is used to validate the performance of this algorithm under constraints. The solution presented in the paper is computationally feasible for smaller sampling times i.e. in miliseconds and it gives promising results with synchronous and asynchonous parallel PSO compared to the state-of-art PSO algorithm.