Backstepping Technique Research Articles

Output tracking of coupled stochastic strict-feedback higher-order nonlinear systems under pinning control

This paper focuses on the tracking problem for a class of coupled stochastic strict-feedback higher-order nonlinear systems under pinning control. Compared with existing stochastic nonlinear tracking designs, our approach stands out by simultaneously considering coupling and higher-order characteristics for the first time. By utilizing the backstepping technique and designing virtual controllers, we obtain actual controllers that ensure the closed-loop system has an almost surely unique solution and is bounded in probability. Additionally, the fourth-moment of the output tracking error can be rendered arbitrarily small in the long run. Notably, to address the cost implications of imposing a controller on each node, we employ a pinning control strategy to selectively control a portion of the nodes. Moreover, a global Lyapunov function is derived combining Lyapunov method with graph theory. Eventually, a numerical simulation is shown to verify the theoretical results.

A novel fixed-time fuzzy adaptive tracking control for nonlinear high-order systems with state constraints

A fixed time fuzzy adaptive tracking controller is presented for high-order nonlinear systems, which includes unknown nonlinear functions and satisfies full state constraints. This is a constructive control scheme based on integrator barrier Lyapunov function, unique dominant adaptive parameter related to fuzzy approximation, and complex high-order back-stepping technique, which ensures that the tracking error can be confined to a preassigned neighbourhood including the origin within a fixed time independent of initial values, and all the states remain the given constraints. A practical application to single joint manipulator tracking control is provided, where comparative simulation results are illustrated for two different preassigned tracking errors. Another numerical example is offered to further manifest the feasibility of the theoretical results and the effectiveness of the controller in this paper.

Advanced control of double stage grid-tied three phase photovoltaic systems with shunt active power filter

This paper explores the challenges associated with the control of a two-stage three-phase electrical grid connected to a photovoltaic (PV) system. The objectives encompass: i) maximizing the available PV power, ii) controlling the DC-link voltage to a predetermined setpoint, and iii) considering that power quality has become an important measure in a distribution electrical network where different loads are connected, the third objective will mainly focus on ensuring power factor correction (PFC). To achieve these objectives, two loops of nonlinear controller are developed. In the outer loop, the duty cycle of a boost converter is controlled using a hybrid technique of backstepping technique and the perturb & observe (P&O) algorithm. In addition, the inner loop employs a hybrid automaton approach to tackle the challenges of a three-phase shunt active power filter (SAPF). The results have been verified through numerical simulation using MATLAB/Simulink power systems environment.

Path following of underactuated surface vessels based active disturbance rejection control considering lateral drift

To address the challenges posed by unmodeled dynamics, lateral drift, external disturbances, and the difficulty in measuring velocities in underactuated surface vessels (USVs) motion systems, an active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) with two linear extended state observers (LESO) is proposed for USV path following. Firstly, we employ the Backstepping technique to create a virtual heading angle while estimating lateral drift and unmodeled dynamics using LESO. Subsequently, the ADRC algorithm is employed to control the heading angle. Since measuring the velocities of USV is challenging, velocity observers are introduce to estimate surge and sway velocities. Finally, we utilize the MMG model with high precision to track straight-line and curved paths, respectively. Simulation results validate that our developed controller accurately follows the reference path even in the presence of disturbances, affirming the effectiveness of our proposed control strategy.

Event-triggered impulsive tracking control for uncertain strict-feedback nonlinear systems via the neural-network-based backstepping technique

This paper studies the problem of event-triggered impulsive tracking control (ETITC) for uncertain strict-feedback nonlinear systems (USFNSs). In contrast to existing impulsive control schemes, this paper incorporates the neural-network (NN)-based backstepping technique into impulsive control design, such that stronger nonlinearities and uncertainties are allowed to be included in the concerned systems. The proposed state-feedback ETITC scheme guarantees that all the signals of the closed-loop system are bounded and the tracking error ultimately converges to an adjustable bounded region, while also avoiding the Zeno behavior. In addition, by constructing a NN-based observer, this paper further develops an output-feedback ETITC scheme to extend its investigation to the scenario where full states are not available for impulsive control design. Finally, an illustrative example involving a chemical reactor system is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of our control schemes.

Improved Command Filtered Backstepping Control for Uncertain Nonlinear Systems with Time-Delay

This paper presents an alternative method to solve the control problem of an uncertain nonlinear system in strict-feedback form with a time delay. Instead of using Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals, ordinary Lyapunov functionals are used to design the controllers. In order to address the completely unknown uncertainties of the system, including the unmodeled dynamics, time-delay nonlinearities, and external disturbances, command filters are applied to reconstruct the estimations of such uncertainties, and the negative feedback of these estimations can be used to reduce the influence of such uncertainties on the system. With the help of the backstepping technique and the Lyapunov stability criterion, it is proved that the system output tracks the target signal with a small error, and contrastive simulation results verify our method’s effectiveness.

Adaptive fuzzy event-triggered control for a class of nonlinear time-delay multi-agent systems with dead zone and partial state constraints

This paper presents an adaptive fuzzy event-triggered control (ETC) method for a class of time-delay nonlinear multi-agent systems (MASs) with dead zone (DZ) and partial state constraints (PSCs). It should be pointed out that the states considered in this paper are unmeasurable and part of the system states are constrained by time-varying boundary. By utilizing fuzzy logic systems (FLSs) and backstepping design framework, a fuzzy state observer is constructed to estimate the unmeasured states, while the introduction of a time-varying barrier Lyapunov function (BLF) addresses the partial state constrained problem. Furthermore, during the design process of the state observer, compensation for the influence of the unknown DZ input on the system is achieved through utilization of known designed event-triggered input signal and adaptive parameter. Building upon this foundation, employing the Lyapunov stability theory and adaptive backstepping technique with ETC strategy, the developed distributed control mechanism demonstrates that all variables of the closed-loop system are bounded, the consensus error of the system can converge to a small region of origin and Zeno behavior can be ruled out. Finally, two simulation examples further illustrate the proposed control strategy and theorem.

A signal smoothness-based approach to prescribed performance control of strict-feedback nonlinear systems with quantization

This paper investigates the prescribed performance control problems of strict-feedback nonlinear systems with state quantization, input quantization, unknown disturbances and unknown nonlinear functions. Since the quantized states are discontinuous, the differentiability of the stabilizing functions in the backstepping technique cannot be guaranteed. To this end, a smooth approximation of the quantized states is first obtained by introducing a class of functions. Based on this smooth approximation, a quantized control scheme is presented such that all the closed-loop signals are bounded with the prescribed performance bounds. It is shown that the unknown nonlinearities and the unknown disturbances are not estimated and the derivatives of the stabilizing functions are eliminated. Lastly, two examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the presented method.

Performance-Based Distributed Control of Multiagent Systems: A Dual Phase Approach.

In this article, we investigate the distributed tracking control problem for networked uncertain nonlinear strict-feedback systems with unknown time-varying gains under a directed interaction topology. A dual phase performance-guaranteed approach is established. In the first phase, a fully distributed robust filter is constructed for each agent to estimate the desired trajectory with prescribed performance such that the control directions of all agents are allowed to be nonidentical. In the second phase, by establishing a novel lemma regarding Nussbaum function, a new adaptive control protocol is developed for each agent based on backstepping technique, which not only steers the output to track the corresponding estimated signal asymptotically with arbitrarily prescribed transient response but also extends the application scope of the proposed control scheme largely since the unknown control gains are allowed to be time-varying and even state-dependent. In such a way, the underlying problem is tackled with the output tracking error converging into an arbitrarily preassigned residual set exhibiting an arbitrarily predefined convergence rate. Besides, all the internal signals are ensured to be semi-globally ultimately uniformly bounded (SGUUB). Finally, two examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the co-designed scheme.

Jerk Chaotic System: Analysis, Circuit Simulation, Control and Synchronization with Application to Secure Communication

Dynamical behaviors of 3D Jerk system were examined in terms of equilibrium, stability, dissipative, and phase space attractor in this study. The system’s practical applications were demonstrated through circuit realization and synchronization scheme via active backstepping control with its effectiveness demonstrated in secure communication. The viability of the theoretical model of 3D Jerk system was confirmed using electronic circuit workbench designed in MultiSIM enviroment. A nonlinear feedback controller was designed using the recursive backstepping technique to control and track a desire function. For secure communication application, active backstepping method was adopted to synchronize two identical chaotic systems evolving from different initial conditions. It was demonstrated that when the controller was activated, the systems synchronize successfully. The results of the active backstepping designed controllers were numerically applied in the area of secure communication, with the variable of the drive being encrypted information transmitted through a coupling channel. Using an additive encryption masking scheme, the encrypted signal was a superposition of sinusoidal information specified by period function and chaotic carrier generated from a variable of the Jerk system. The transmitted information signal was successfully retrieved from the chaotic response signal using an inverse function decryption algorithm, thereby confirming the effectiveness and robustness of the designed controller.

Adaptive finite time tracking control for the perturbed nonlinear systems by using backstepping technique and a fast tracking differentiator

Adaptive finite time tracking control for the perturbed nonlinear systems by using backstepping technique and a fast tracking differentiator

Observer-based adaptive neural network control design for nonlinear systems under cyber-attacks through sensor networks

This paper considers the adaptive neural tracking control for uncertain nonlinear strict-feedback systems under state-dependent cyber-attacks through sensor networks. As a distinctive feature, by constructing a novel adaptive neural observer, the estimates of system states are used for feedback control instead of the compromised system states corrupted by sensor attacks, such that the assumption on the derivative of attack weight can be removed from the adaptive controller design process. Then, an observer-based control scheme is developed such that all the system signals are bounded and the tracking error converges to a small neighborhood of zero. During the procedure of control design, adaptive backstepping technique is combined with radial basis function neural networks (RBFNNs) to construct controllers. Finally, two examples validate the efficacy of the proposed control scheme.

Adaptive position control using backstepping technique for the leader‐follower multiple quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle formation

SummaryThis article addresses the position control issue of multi‐quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (QUAV) formation. Concerning the translational dynamic of a multi‐QUAV system, on the one hand, it is an under‐actuation dynamic; on the other hand, it does not satisfy the matching condition. These features will cause inevitable thorny in the formation position control design. Furthermore, because of the state coupling problem, the formation control of multi‐QUAV system is more challenging and knotty than the control of single QUAV system. To achieve this control, both backstepping technique and neural network (NN) approximation strategy are combined by introducing an intermediary control, where NN is employed to compensate the system uncertainty. However, since the traditional adaptive NN control methods need to train a large number of adaptive parameters for the high approximation accuracy, it will cause the heavy computing burden if traditional adaptive method is used for the QUAV formation control. The proposed adaptive NN strategy in this paper only requires training a scalar adaptive parameter, which is generated from the norm of NN weight vector or matrix, thereby significantly reducing computational burden. Finally, according to Lyapunov stability proof and computer simulation, it is demonstrated that the control tasks can be successfully accomplished.

Event-triggered prescribed-time control for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems using finite time-varying gain

This paper addresses the event-triggered prescribed-time control problem for a class of high-order nonlinear systems based on finite time-varying gain. Due to the existence of unknown gain functions and system uncertainties, the resultant control with prescribed-time convergence performance becomes nontrivial. The problem becomes even more complex due to the use of event-based communication instead of continuous communication. To tackle the aforementioned challenges, this paper proposes an event-triggered prescribed-time stabilization approach with the following key steps. Firstly, we establish a new prescribed-time stability lemma to overcome the technical difficulty arising from the prescribed-time controller design, and stability analysis. Secondly, we give the controller design procedure upon using the backstepping technique. Thirdly, we redesign the event-triggering threshold condition based on time-varying functions, which allows the controller terminal jitter to be mitigated and the controller to be implemented straightforwardly in practice. Furthermore, the proposed control scheme avoids Zeno behavior. The numerical simulation confirms the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.

Adaptive finite-time neural control of nonstrict-feedback nonlinear systems with input dead-zone and output hysteresis

This paper explores the adaptive finite-time neural control issue for nonlinear systems with input dead zone and output hysteresis in nonstrict-feedback form. The unknown functions are estimated by employing the radial basis function neural networks (RBFNN) approach. A systematic adaptive finite-time control method is introduced using the backstepping technique and neural network approximation properties. The stability of the system is also examined by using semi-global practical finite-time stability theory. The established control approach guarantees the boundedness of all signals within the closed-loop system, enabling the system output to accurately follow the desired signal within a finite time framework while maintaining a small and bounded tracking error. Finally, simulation results are shown to demonstrate the efficacy of the suggested strategy.

Output-feedback path-following control of underactuated AUVs via singular perturbation and interconnected-system technique

This paper focuses on the output-feedback control for path-following of underactuated autonomous underwater vehicles subject to multiple uncertainties and unmeasured velocities. First, a novel extended state observer is proposed to estimate the mismatched lumped disturbance and recover the unmeasured velocities. Based on this premise, to overcome the limitation of relying solely on the accurate kinematic model, a disturbance observer-based stabilizing controller is developed. The difference in bandwidths between the observer and the vehicle dynamics allows for a mathematical setup amenable to standard singular perturbation theory. In the fast mode, a kinematic observer is designed to reject system uncertainty caused by unknown attack angular velocity and prohibitive path-tangential angular velocity, using a novel physical perspective. In the slow mode, an interconnected-system control law is proposed by integrating the backstepping technique with the time scale decomposition method. Furthermore, the stability of the overall closed-loop system is established. Finally, simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for path-following of underactuated autonomous underwater vehicles in the vertical plane.

Command Filter-Based Adaptive Neural Control for Nonstrict-Feedback Nonlinear Systems with Prescribed Performance

In this paper, a new command filter-based adaptive NN control strategy is developed to address the prescribed tracking performance issue for a class of nonstrict-feedback nonlinear systems. Compared with the existing performance functions, a new performance function, the fixed-time performance function, which does not depend on the accurate initial value of the error signal and has the ability of fixed-time convergence, is proposed for the first time. A radial basis function neural network is introduced to identify unknown nonlinear functions, and the characteristic of Gaussian basis functions is utilized to overcome the difficulties of the nonstrict-feedback structure. Moreover, in contrast to the traditional Backstepping technique, a command filter-based adaptive control algorithm is constructed, which solves the “explosion of complexity” problem and relaxes the assumption on the reference signal. Additionally, it is guaranteed that the tracking error falls within a prescribed small neighborhood by the designed performance functions in fixed time, and the closed-loop system is semi-globally uniformly ultimately bounded (SGUUB). The effectiveness of the proposed control scheme is verified by numerical simulation.

Adaptive neural fault-tolerant prescribed performance control of a rehabilitation exoskeleton for lower limb passive training

This article studies the passive tracking problem of a wearable exoskeleton for lower limb rehabilitation therapy in the face of unmodeled dynamics, interactive friction, disturbance, prescribed performance constraints, and actuator faults. Adaptive neural networks and a smooth performance function are incorporated to establish a novel fault-tolerant tracking scheme, which can not only compensate for the nonlinear uncertainties and disturbance, but also handle the actuator fault with guaranteed tracking performance. A state feedback controller is presented by using the full state information and an output feedback controller is developed when the angular velocity is unavailable. The differential explosion issue of the backstepping technique is resolved by constructing a first-order filter and the unmeasurable velocity is estimated by a nonlinear observer. Semiglobal uniform boundedness stabilities of the exoskeleton system are proved via the Lyapunov direct method. The tracking performances of the designed control approaches are tested by comparative simulations.

A novel approach to the FPIBSC strategy for an electric power steering system

The electric power steering system is used to improve comfort and steering feel for the user. In this article, we propose to use an integrated nonlinear control strategy for the electric steering system, which is described based on a complicated dynamic model. This work provides two new contributions. First, this control algorithm combines backstepping and proportional–integral (PI) techniques with parameters adjusted by a fuzzy algorithm, so it is called Fuzzy proportional–integral backstepping control (FPIBSC). The output of the PI algorithm is the input of the backstepping technique, while system stability is evaluated based on the Lyapunov function with virtual control variables. Second, road reaction torque is calculated based on a spatial dynamic model, which considers the influence of many other factors. Numerical simulation methods are used to evaluate the performance of the system. According to research findings, the value of the steering motor angle (controlled object) continuously tracks the desired value with negligible error. Under some specific conditions, the error between signals can be reduced to zero. In addition, other outputs that are obtained from the FPIBSC algorithm also tend to follow the reference signal with high accuracy. The phase difference phenomenon only occurs when using the conventional backstepping algorithm instead of FPIBSC. The assisted torque increases as speed decreases or the driver torque increases. In general, the system’s stability is always guaranteed under many different simulation conditions.

Nonlinear control of three level NPC inverter used in PV/grid system: comparison of topologies and control methods

With the passage of time, the importance of using renewable energy systems to overcome energy consumption and improve the quality of the grid has emerged through the use of nonlinear control techniques and reliance on advanced types of inverters such as multi-level inverters. This research is focused on comparing two grid-connected converter topologies in a photovoltaic (PV) generation system connected to a three-phase grid that serves a non-linear load. Additionally, the study explores two different control techniques applied to this converter, evaluating their effects on the total harmonic distortion coefficient. A comparison has been made between the traditional inverter and the three-level inverter type neutral point clamped (NPC) inverter, with the use of integral backstepping (IBS) technique which was also compared with the proportional integral (PI) controller. The simulation results in MATLAB/Simulink are presented illustrating the performances and the strong effectiveness of the three-level NPC inverter controlled by the proposed technique (IBS).