Consensus Control Method Research Articles

Improved second-order consensus control method

Improved second-order consensus control method

A sliding mode based foot-end trajectory consensus control method with variable topology for legged motion of heavy-duty robot

Rational foot-end trajectory planning and control are of great significance for stable-legged walking of heavy-duty multi-legged robots. To achieve a fast, active, and compliant response of the leg actuator to disturbances for improvement of the stability and flexibility of the heavy-duty legged robot system during continuous walking on rough roads, a legged consensus control method (LCC) is proposed. Firstly, the LCC includes a foot-end trajectory planner model for designing the trajectory during the swing phase to ensure that the robot’s feet are always in a safe workspace during legged motion with continuously variable direction. Secondly, LCC constructs a consensus control method for encoding foot-end position and velocity consensus error based on variable topology networks. Six legs are treated as six intelligent agents and divided into two fully connected networks: the swing phase and stance phase, to achieve smooth and consistent motion that satisfies the geometric constraints of the robot. The foot-end agent can switch between swing and stance groups according to the state of the contact with the environment accompanied by the amendment topology, to enhance the robustness of the robot system through fast compliance control of the foot-end kinematics state. Then, the sliding mode control method based on consensus velocity and position error is deduced in LCC. The sliding mode surface is designed to make the three control variables realize stable movement with a consistent state of foot-end in three X,Y,Z-axis respectively, thereby enhancing the stability of foot-end state and fuselage posture. Finally, simulation and experiments have verified that the proposed LCC can assist legged-robot perform relatively steady legged motion with continuously variable direction on various rugged roads. The body attitude Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) is quickly reduced by 81.0% compared with independent PI control. The LCC algorithm code is publicly available at https://github.com/bjmyX/LCC_code.

Fuzzy prescribed-time self-triggered consensus control for nonlinear multi-agent systems with dead-zone output

This paper investigates the fuzzy prescribed-time self-triggered consensus control for nonlinear multi-agent systems (MASs) with dead-zone output. First, by proposing a dead-zone output approximation model and utilizing Nussbaum-type functions, an adaptive compensation mechanism is developed to alleviate the effect of unknown dead-zone output. Meanwhile, the fuzzy logic systems are incorporated to approximate the unknown functions of the nonlinear MASs. Next, by adopting a time-varying scaling function, a consensus control method is recursively established to steer the consensus errors into a small range within the prescribed time. Furthermore, a self-triggered scheme is established to conserve communication resources while avoiding continuously monitoring trigger conditions. It is illustrated that boundedness of all signals and practical prescribed-time leader-following consensus can be achieved. Finally, the simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.

A novel finite-time leader-follower consensus control for a disturbed mechanical nonlinear system in presence of actuator saturation

This paper presents a novel leader-follower consensus control for a particular class of nonlinear multi-agent mechanical systems in the presence of control input constraints and external disturbances which includes robot system dynamics with a wide range of potential applications in industry. In this case, one of the agents is selected as the leader to direct the other agents in such a way that the whole system can reach consensus within certain prescribed performance transient bounds. Due to the presence of disturbances in most practical systems, the effect of limited disturbance in the consensus control method has been investigated, and actuator saturation is included in the design process. A terminal sliding mode control method has been adapted to ensure the stability of the overall system and fast finite-time leader-follower consensus control. The simulation results of the multi-agent nonlinear robot system in MATLAB environment, in different scenarios with simultaneous consideration of actuator saturation and external disturbance, will show the efficiency of the proposed control method.

Observer-Based Adaptive Fuzzy Consensus Control of Nonlinear Multiagent Systems Encountering Deception Attacks

This paper investigates the fuzzy adaptive output- feedback consensus control problem for nonlinear multi-agent systems (MASs) with network communication encountering deception attacks. Fuzzy logic systems (FLSs) are used to approximate unknown nonlinear functions, and a novel fuzzy state observer is established to estimate the states of encountered deception attacks. For the case of unknown time-varying gains caused by deception attacks, a projection operator-based compensation mechanism is designed. Consequently, under the framework of adaptive backstepping, a novel adaptive fuzzy output- feedback consensus control method is proposed. The proposed control method can not only ensure that all signals remain bounded, but also make all followers maintain consensus with the trajectory of the leader. Finally, the simulation results are given to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.

Event-triggered consensus control method with communication faults for multi-UAV

This paper investigates the event-triggered consensus for a group of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with communication faults under the assumption that the position sensors of some individuals are damaged. The objective is to make the UAV group reach consensus in urgent tasks such as obstacle avoidance or evasion. Using the Lyapunov stability theory, sufficient conditions to achieve system consensus are given based on different velocity and position interaction topologies. Considering the limited capabilities of sensors and processors, an event-triggered consensus protocol is adopted to reduce the sampling frequency. Finally, simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of our approach.

A Novel Two-Stage, Dual-Layer Distributed Optimization Operational Approach for Microgrids with Electric Vehicles

As the ownership of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to rise, EVs are becoming an integral part of urban microgrids. Incorporating the charging and discharging processes of EVs into the microgrid’s optimization scheduling process can serve to load leveling, reducing the reliance of the microgrid on external power networks. This paper proposes a novel two-stage, dual-layer distributed optimization operational approach for microgrids with EVs. The lower layer is a distributed control layer, which ensures, through consensus control methods, that every EV maintains a consistent charging/discharging and state of charge (SOC). The upper layer is the optimization scheduling layer, determining the optimal operational strategy of the microgrid using the multiagent reinforcement learning method and providing control reference signals for the lower layer. Additionally, this paper categorizes the charging process of EVs into two stages based on their SOC: the constrained scheduling stage and the free scheduling stage. By employing distinct control methods during these two stages, we ensure that EVs can participate in the microgrid scheduling while fully respecting the charging interests of the EV owners.

Global Consensus Tracking Control for High-Order Nonlinear Multiagent Systems With Prescribed Performance.

In this article, we investigate the prescribed performance tracking control problem for high-order nonlinear multiagent systems (MASs) under directed communication topology and unknown control directions. Different from most existing prescribed performance consensus control methods where certain initial conditions are needed to be satisfied, here the restriction related to the initial conditions is removed and global tracking result irrespective of initial condition is established. Furthermore, output consensus tracking is achieved asymptotically with arbitrarily prescribed transient performance in spite of the directed topology and unknown control directions. Our development benefits from the performance function and prescribed-time observer. Both theoretical analysis and numerical simulation confirm the validity of the developed control scheme.

Observer-Based Fixed-Time Adaptive Fuzzy Consensus DSC for Nonlinear Multiagent Systems.

This article studies the output-feedback fixed-time fuzzy consensus control problem for nonlinear multiagent systems (MASs) under the directed communication topologies. Since the controlled systems contain the unmeasurable states and unknown dynamics, the unmeasurable states are reconstructed via linear state observers, and fuzzy logic systems are utilized to identify the unknown internal dynamics. By constructing the integral type Lyapunov function, a fixed-time adaptive fuzzy consensus control scheme is developed by introducing the nonlinear filter technique into the backstepping recursive technique adaptive control algorithm. The presented consensus control method can not only guarantee the controlled system is semi-global practical fixed-time stable (SGPFTS), but also avoid the singular problem in existing backstepping recursive control design methods. Finally, an application of unmanned surface vehicles is provided to verify the effectiveness of the presented fixed-time fuzzy consensus control method.

Optimal Distributed Coordinated Reinforcement Learning for Secondary Voltage Control in Time-Delayed Microgrid

This article proposes an optimal distributed secondary voltage control method based on distributed coordinated reinforcement learning (DCRL) algorithm in the time-delayed microgrid. First, a distributed secondary voltage control protocol through a sparse communication network is designed using consensus-based algorithm and Lyapunov–Krasovskii theory. Then, by combining the consensus control method with reinforcement learning together, a novel DCRL algorithm is utilized to dynamically adjust the voltage controller gains. Since the DCRL method is an online intelligent algorithm, it can adaptively improve the voltage control performance in the presence of various external disturbances encountered in microgrid secondary control. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through simulations under different scenarios on a four inverter-based microgrid test system. Simulation results indicate that our method shows superior dynamic voltage regulation response over traditional methods.

Distributed Fixed-Time Event-Triggered Consensus Control for Uncertain Nonlinear Multiagent Systems with Actuator Failures

A fixed-time event-triggered consensus control method is proposed for uncertain nonlinear multiagent systems with actuator failures. Since actuator failures, external disturbances and control gains are time-varying and completely unknown, the effects of these system constraints on the system are completely unknown, which makes the implementation of fixed-time tracking control challenging. To deal with these system constraints, radial basis function neural networks (RBFNNs) are applied to approximate the uncertain dynamics, and a boundary estimation method is presented to achieve adaptive compensation for them. Furthermore, considering that the implementation of this boundary estimation method requires a large number of communication resources, an event triggering mechanism is designed to reduce the update frequency of the controller. It is theoretically confirmed that using the proposed control scheme, all the followers can track the leader with sufficient accuracy in a predetermined time, and all the closed-loop signals are bounded. Finally, the simulation experiments verify the theoretical results.

Reinforcement learning‐based adaptive consensus control for a class of non‐affine nonlinear multiagent systems with semi‐Markov switching topographies

AbstractA reinforcement learning‐based adaptive consensus control method has been proposed for the non‐affine nonlinear multiagent systems with semi‐Markov switching topographies in this paper. The considered system contains the nonlinear features, multiple source disturbances and non‐affine inputs, which makes it difficult to design the consensus controller. Firstly, to overcome the adverse influence caused by the multiple disturbances existing in the nonlinear system, a reinforcement learning based adaptive disturbance observer has been designed. Secondly, to handle the unknown nonlinear terms and the non‐affine features of the control inputs, an auxiliary loop has been introduced and a reinforcement learning based adaptive control law has been designed. Finally, aiming at the semi‐Markov switching topographies possessed by the multiagent systems, a novel adaptive consensus controller integrating the reinforcement learning approximator, the adaptive disturbance observer and the consensus control law, has been proposed. Through the Lyapunov direct method, it has been proven that the tracking errors are ultimately uniformly bounded. Moreover, within an acceptable margin of error, the state of all the followers can proved to be consistent with the leader. Several numerical experiments are conducted to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed reinforcement learning‐based leader‐following consensus control law.

Distributed Consensus Hierarchical Optimization and Control Method for Integrated Energy System Based on Event-Triggered Mechanism

For integrated energy systems (IES) composed of a set of energy hubs (EHs), a consensus control method is usually adopted to achieve accurate sharing of electrical and thermal composite energies. To solve the communication redundancy problem of the consensus control method, a hierarchical optimization and distributed control scheme based on a dynamic event-triggered mechanism of EHs is proposed to realize stable operation of IES. An economic optimization strategy based on equal increment principle is improved to minimize the operation costs of IES in the second layer. Due to consensus control being integrated into the supply-demand power deviation calculations of EHs, the desired electrical and thermal power trajectories are accurately determined. To improve dynamic response performances in the presence of uncertain disturbances, an event-triggered communication mechanism is designed in the primary layer. The triggering threshold can be adjusted dynamically according to changes of electrical and thermal power outputs, and the redundant communication requirement in the electrical branches is reduced. Considering the coupling characteristics of IES energy networks, a consensus control method is promoted to synchronously track the desired electric and thermal power trajectories of EHs, and the goal of accurate power sharing is achieved. The frequency and pipeline pressure fluctuations are also limited within the allowable range. The economic optimization and coordinated operation of electrical and thermal composite energies in IES are guaranteed by the proposed hierarchical control structure. Additionally, only information from neighboring EHs at the event-triggered time is involved, so the computation simplicity and control performance can be obtained simultaneously. The hardware-in-loop experimental results are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.

Dual−Layer Distributed Optimal Operation Method for Island Microgrid Based on Adaptive Consensus Control and Two−Stage MATD3 Algorithm

Island microgrids play a crucial role in developing and utilizing offshore renewable energy sources. However, high operation costs and limited operational flexibility are significant challenges. To address these problems, this paper proposes a novel dual−layer distributed optimal operation methodology for islanded microgrids. The lower layer is a distributed control layer that manages multiple controllable distributed fuel−based microturbines (MTs) within the island microgrids. A novel adaptive consensus control method is proposed in this layer to ensure uniform operating status for each MT. Moreover, the proposed method can achieve the total output power of MTs to follow the reference signal provided by the upper layer while ensuring plug−and−play capability for MTs. The upper layer is an optimal scheduling layer that manages various forms of controllable distributed power sources and provides control reference signals for the lower layer. Additionally, a two−stage twin−delayed deterministic policy gradient (MATD3) algorithm is utilized in this layer to minimize the operating costs of island microgrids while ensuring their safe operation. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed methodology can effectively reduce the operating costs of island microgrids, unify the operational status of MTs, and achieve plug−and−play capability for MTs.

Consensus control of semi‐Markov jump topology multiple direct‐drive motion system

AbstractRandom jump of network communication topology challenges the tracking accuracy of linear switched reluctance motor (LSRM) system. This paper studies the pilot‐following consensus control of the multiple direct‐drive motion system (MDDMS) with semi‐Markov jump topology. The mathematical model of LSRM is constructed and the multi‐phase excitation strategy is studied. The directed graph is used to model the information transmission among the leaders and follower, and a new mechanism consensus based on previous states is provided. A consensus system based on semi‐Markov jump topology is constructed and the problem of consensus is shifted into a problem of stability analysis. A sufficient condition for consensus problem is obtained by using semi‐Markov switching system theory and graph theory. The MDDMS achieves consensus in the form of exponential convergence under the designed consensus controller. Several groups of simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed consensus control method.

Practical consensus for heterogeneous multi-agent systems with gain fluctuations via resilient sampled-data control

This study proposes a sampled-data-based practical consensus control method for heterogeneous multi-agent systems with gain fluctuations. First, the heterogeneous multi-agent system is formulated together with randomly occurring nonlinear dynamics. Second, unlike the existing studies, a more general retarded sampled-data control approach is designed, which involves the gain fluctuations along with the actual sampling pattern and constant time delay, to achieve the practical consensus of the considered system. By utilizing the aperiodic sampling information, and looped functional approach, a Wirtinger’s inequality-based discontinuous Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional is constructed to derive the delay-dependent stability condition of the closed-loop system in the form of linear matrix inequality. Finally, numerical simulation is presented to illustrate the derived theoretical results.

Fuzzy finite-time consensus control for uncertain nonlinear multi-agent systems with input delay

A fuzzy finite-time consensus control method for a class of uncertain nonlinear multi-agent systems (MASs) with input delay is developed. The Pade approximation approach and Laplace transform technology are employed to eliminate the effect of input delay. Then, the fuzzy logic systems are applied to deal with the uncertain nonlinear terms. Furthermore, a relative threshold event-triggered control scheme is established to alleviate the communication burden of the control network. Meanwhile, to ensure MASs can synchronize in finite time, an adaptive consensus control method is developed. With the proposed method, even if the MASs suffer from input delay, all followers in the MASs reach finite-time synchronization and track the virtual leader. Finally, the validity of the proposed method is illustrated by the theoretical analysis and simulation examples.

Fast Finite-Time Event-Triggered Consensus Control for Uncertain Nonlinear Multiagent Systems With Full-State Constraints

The fast finite-time event-triggered consensus control is investigated for a category of uncertain nonlinear multiagent systems (MASs) with full-state constraints. The uncertainty of the system is estimated by the radial basis function neural networks (RBFNNs). Furthermore, to achieve the fast finite-time stability and not violate the full-state constraints, a fast finite-time event-triggered consensus control method is proposed. The proposed control method can achieve the fast finite-time stability of the system, and all the followers can track the output signal of the leader. Meanwhile, the system states do not exceed the boundaries of the full-state constraints, and the communication resources of the system can be saved. Finally, some simulation examples are provided to verify the feasibility of the proposed approach.

Prescribed Settling Time Adaptive Neural Network Consensus Control of Multiagent Systems with Unknown Time-Varying Input Dead-Zone

For a class of multiagent systems with an unknown time-varying input dead-zone, a prescribed settling time adaptive neural network consensus control method is developed. In practical applications, some control signals are difficult to use effectively due to the extensive existence of an input dead-zone. Moreover, the time-varying input gains further seriously degrade the performance of the systems and even cause system instability. In addition, multiagent systems need frequent communication to ensure a system’s consistency. This may lead to communication congestion. To solve this problem, an event-triggered adaptive neural network control method is proposed. Further, combined with the prescribed settling time transform function, the developed consensus method greatly increases the convergence rate. It is demonstrated that all followers of multiagent systems can track the virtual leader within a prescribed time and not exhibit Zeno behavior. Finally, the theoretical analysis and simulation verify the effectiveness of the designed control method.

NN event-triggered finite-time consensus control for uncertain nonlinear Multi-Agent Systems with dead-zone input and actuator failures

This paper develops a Neural Network (NN) event-triggered finite-time consensus control method for uncertain nonlinear Multi-Agent Systems (MASs) with dead-zone input and actuator failures. In practical applications, actuator failures would inevitably arise in MASs. And the time, pattern, and value of the failures are unknown. Besides, the actuators of MASs also suffer from dead-zone nonlinearity. No matter actuator failures or dead-zone input would dramatically affect the performance and stability of MASs. To address these issues, finite-time adaptive controllers capable of simultaneously compensating for actuator failures and dead-zone input are constructed by adopting the backstepping technology. Meanwhile, the NN control scheme is adopted to handle the unknown nonlinear dynamics of each agent. Furthermore, an event-triggered control mechanism is established that no longer requires continuous communication on the control network. Under the proposed control method, all followers achieve finite-time synchronization, irrespective of the presence of limited bandwidth, unknown failures, and dead-zone input. These results are demonstrated by simulations.