Model Of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Research Articles

Neural Adaptive Intermittent Output Feedback Control for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles With Full-State Quantitative Designs.

In this article, a neural adaptive intermittent output feedback control is investigated for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) with full-state quantitative designs (FSQDs). To achieve the prespecified tracking performance determined by quantitative indices (e.g., overshoot, convergence time, steady-state accuracy, and maximum deviation) at both kinematic and kinetic levels, FSQDs are designed by transforming constrained AUV model into an unconstrained model via one-sided hyperbolic cosecant boundaries and nonlinear mapping functions. An intermittent sampling-based neural estimator (ISNE) is devised to reconstruct the matched and mismatched lumped disturbances as well as immeasurable velocity states of transformed AUV model, where only system outputs after intermittent sampling are required. Using the estimations of ISNE and the system outputs after triggering, an intermittent output feedback control law incorporated with hybrid threshold event-triggered mechanism (HTETM) is designed to achieve ultimately uniformly bounded (UUB) results. Simulation results are provided and analyzed to validate the effectiveness of the studied control strategy with application to an omnidirectional intelligent navigator (ODIN).

An Adaptive Characteristic Model-Based Event-Triggered Sigmoid Prescribed Performance Control Approach for Tracking the Trajectory of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

This paper introduces an event-triggered sigmoid prescribed performance control method, enhanced by an adaptive characteristic model, for tracking the trajectory of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The AUV model is simplified into a function reliant solely on second-order parameter information through the use of characteristic modeling and a compression algorithm, which is then approximated by a neural network. We propose integrating prescribed performance control into event-triggered sliding mode control to accelerate convergence in AUV trajectory tracking. A novel prescribed performance function is employed in this integration, creating an event-triggered, non-singular terminal sliding mode control strategy. The stability of this controller is rigorously proven. This control strategy is not only robust against model uncertainties but also mitigates the jitter commonly associated with sliding mode control and the singularities from preset performance control due to sudden random disturbances. Comparative simulation experiments demonstrate that the proposed control method achieves superior control accuracy and a quicker response.

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Path Planning Based on Improved Salp Swarm Algorithm

Aiming at the problem of path planning for autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to cope with the influence of obstacles and eddies in complex marine environments, a path planning method based on an improved salp swarm algorithm (ISSA) is proposed. Firstly, the motion model of the AUV and eddy current model are constructed, including the relationship between position, velocity, attitude, and control inputs. Secondly, the improved SSA is proposed, which introduces the Levy flight strategy to enhance the algorithm’s optimization seeking ability and adds a nonlinear convergence factor to enhance the convergence ability of the algorithm. The stability and robustness of the improved algorithm are verified by test functions. Finally, the ISSA is applied to AUV path planning, which optimizes the AUV travel distance, improves the search efficiency and accuracy, and avoids the local optimum of the algorithm. The ISSA enhances the adaptive ability and robustness of the algorithm by introducing a dynamic adjustment strategy and feedback mechanism. Experimental verification is carried out using a simulated marine environment. The results show that the ISSA is better than the traditional algorithm in terms of path length as well as algorithm stability, and can effectively improve the navigation performance of AUV.

Research on Modeling Method of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Based on a Physics-Informed Neural Network

Accurately modeling the system dynamics of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is imperative to facilitating the implementation of intelligent control. In this research, we introduce a physics-informed neural network (PINN) method to model the dynamics of AUVs by integrating dynamical equations with deep neural networks. This integration leverages the nonlinear expressive power of deep neural networks, alongside the robust foundation of physical prior knowledge, resulting in an AUV model proficient in long-term motion forecasting. The experimental results indicate that this method is capable of effectively extracting AUV system dynamics from datasets, exhibiting strong generalization capabilities and achieving robust long-term motion prediction. Furthermore, a model predictive control method is proposed, using the learned PINN as the predictive model to accurately track the closed-loop trajectory. This research offers novel perspectives on the dynamics modeling of AUVs and has the potential to be applied in other relevant research endeavors.

Research on obstacle avoidance of multi-AUV cluster formation based on virtual structure and artificial potential field method★

The formation of autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) in the three-dimensional environment is very important for carrying out complex ocean tasks. During formation sailing, it is necessary to consider avoiding obstacles while maintaining the formation. In this paper, an AUV formation obstacle avoidance method based on virtual structure and artificial potential field method is proposed. Firstly, a complete mathematical modeling of AUV is carried out, and a sliding mode position tracker based on virtual position points is designed based on this model. Then the tracking points of each AUV in the formation are calculated according to the expected trajectory and formation feature structure to ensure that the spacing between AUVs meets the requirements of the formation. Finally, the artificial potential field method is introduced into the position tracker to avoid obstacles between the obstacle and the AUV. Five groups of simulation experiments of parallel formation, vertical formation, cross formation, triangular formation and unknown complex environment are designed. The formation scalability of the algorithm is simulated and compared with the virtual leader method in related references. Finally, KKSwarm platform is used to conduct a real simulation in 2D environment to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.The experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively realize the formation navigation of multiple underwater vehicles and successfully avoid obstacles, which provides an effective method to solve the problem of the formation obstacle avoidance of underactuated AUV.

A Computational Investigation of the Influence of Seafloor Conditions on the Turbulent Flow Characteristics of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

The effect of the seabed on the hydrodynamics of three-dimensional autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) varies according to the physical conditions of the place where AUVs interact with the environmental conditions. This study examines the hydrodynamics of an AUV resembling a torpedo model while taking the influence of the seabed surface as a function of the dimensionless distances (G/D) between the torpedo and the seabed. Reynolds numbers, varying from 1 × 104 to 8 × 104, were considered. These Reynolds numbers were associated with various seabed distances falling within 0.25 ≤ G/D ≤ 1.5. To perform the simulations, governing equations were utilized and incorporated with the k–ω SST turbulence model. It has been observed that when AUVs or torpedo models operate in close proximity to the seabed surface, several key hydrodynamic parameters and flow characteristics are affected. These include the pressure coefficient (Cp), drag coefficient (CD), overall flow structures, maneuverability, and performance of the torpedo model. As the AUV or torpedo model approaches the seabed surface, the symmetrical flow pattern deteriorates. This deterioration is associated with changes in vortical flow structures under the influence of seabed surfaces. Additionally, the intensity of the shear stress (τ) near the seabed surface gradually increases as the AUV or torpedo model gets closer to it. In summary, the proximity of AUVs or torpedo models to the seabed surface causes disruptions in the flow patterns, increased shear stress, and alterations in key hydrodynamic parameters, ultimately affecting the system's performance and behavior.

Three-Dimensional Path Tracking of Over-Actuated AUVs Based on MPC and Variable Universe S-Plane Algorithms

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are widely used for the inspection of seabed pipelines. To address the issues of low trajectory tracking accuracy in AUV inspection processes due to uncertain ocean current disturbances, this paper designs a new dual-loop controller based on Model Predictive Control (MPC) and Variable Universe S-plane algorithms (S-VUD FLC, where VUD represents Variable Universe Discourse and FLC represents Fuzzy Logic Control) to achieve three-dimensional (3-D) trajectory tracking of an over-actuated AUV under uncertain ocean current disturbances. This paper uses MPC as the outer-loop position controller and S-VUD FLC as the inner-loop speed controller. The outer-loop controller generates desired speed instructions that are passed to the inner-loop speed controller, while the inner-loop speed controller generates control input and uses a direct logic thrust distribution method that approaches optimal energy consumption to distribute the thrust generated by the propellers to the over-actuated AUV, achieving closed-loop tracking of the entire trajectory. When designing the outer-loop MPC controller, the actual control input constraints of the system are considered, and control increments are introduced to reduce control model errors and the impact of uncertain external disturbances on the actual AUV model parameters. When designing the inner-loop S-VUD FLC, the strong robustness of the variable universe fuzzy controller and the easy construction characteristics of the S-plane algorithm are combined, and integral action is introduced to improve the system’s tracking accuracy. The stability of the outer loop controller is proven by the Lyapunov method, and the stability of the inner loop controller is verified by simulation. Finally, simulations show that the over-actuated AUV has fast tracking processes and high tracking result accuracy under uncertain ocean current disturbances, demonstrating the effectiveness of the designed dual-loop controller.

Dynamic modeling and parameter sensitivity analysis of AUV by using the POD method and the HB-AFT method

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) parameterization is a geometric modification method, and can quickly obtain excellent structure with low vibration and noise performance. Blindness and inefficiency are common outcomes of the lack of an efficient parameter selection approach. But not enough research has been done in this area. In this paper, the finite element (FE) method is used to establish the propeller–shaft–shell double beam system with ball bearings, which is more similar to the real model. The basic theory of the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) method is introduced in detail, and the original full order model (FOM) is reduced to 4 DOFs. It is found that the accuracy of the reduced order model (ROM) is high enough and the calculation time is greatly reduced. The semi-numerical semi-analytical expression of the ROM system is solved by the harmonic balance and alternating frequency/time domain (HB-AFT) method, whose results are in good agreement with those by the Runge–Kutta method. The sensitivities of the shell responses to the spring stiffness are discussed. The AUV setup is designed to analysis of numerical and experimental results. These results in this paper can provide an advanced theoretical basis for the structural parameter design of the AUV.

Backstepping method tracking control for underactuated AUV with unknown dynamics based on action-critic networks based ADP

This work investigates trajectory-tacking control problem for underactuated autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) with unknown dynamics. Due to the unknown dynamics, an action-critic networks based adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) scheme combined with backstepping approach is designed, which can achieve high-level system stability and tracking control accuracy. Firstly, the backstepping approach is introduced into the kinematic model of underactuated AUV and produces a virtual velocity control which is taken as the desired velocity input of the dynamic model of underactuated AUV. Secondly, the error tracking system is constructed according to the dynamic model of underactuated AUV. Thirdly, the critic neural network and the action neural network are employed to transform the trajectory-tracking control problem into optimal control problem based on policy iteration algorithm. At last simulation results are given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.

Optimal tracking control of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle: A PMP approach

This paper addresses the optimal tracking control problem of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) using Pontryagin’s Minimum Principle (PMP). The formulation uses a choice of Hamiltonian function using the desired control objective with AUV dynamics acting as dynamic constraints. We first develop PMP based on AUV kinematics and then extend it to the dynamics to arrive at optimal thrusts and moments. Necessary conditions for optimality are derived for both the models using PMP, which results in optimal trajectories that simultaneously minimize the tracking error as well as the control cost, thereby arriving at energy optimality. It was observed that the adjoint variables (costates) are indeed the momenta in the inertial and body-fixed frames. At the kinematic level, this forms a stable solution. The developed methodology is applied to both 2D and 3D AUV model with disturbances due to inputs and ocean currents. Numerical simulations are carried out with the derived control laws for a given trajectory tracking target. Quantitative evaluation of the performance and comparison of the controller is done using Mean Square Error(MSE) and Total Variation(TV) measures. The proposed control laws are found to achieve the desired control objectives.

ADP based output-feedback fault-tolerant tracking control for underactuated AUV with actuators faults

In this work, the output-feedback fault-tolerant tacking control issue for underactuated autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) with actuators faults is investigated. Firstly, an output-feedback error tacking system is constructed based on the theoretical model of underactuated AUV with actuators faults. Then, an adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) based fault-tolerant control controller is developed. In our proposed control scheme, a neural-network observer is designed to approximate the system states with actuators faults. An online policy iteration algorithm is designed with critic network and action network in order to improve the tracking accuracy. Based on Lyapunov stability theorem, the stability of the error tracking system is guaranteed by the proposed controller. At last, the simulation results show that the underactuated AUV achieves better tracking performance.

Model predictive path following control of underwater vehicle based on RBF neural network

A model prediction controller (MPC) based on radial basis function (RBF) neural network is designed to counter the model uncertainty and multiple constraints of the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). On this basis of path following control with MPC, the RBF neural network is trained online with real-time measurement data to compensate for the AUV's model uncertainty, thus suppressing the interference of model uncertainty on the MPC and reducing its overshoot and tracking error. Simulation results show that the path following algorithm based on RBF-MPC has better transient and steady-state performance compared with the classical MPC algorithm.

Improved SSA‐RBF neural network‐based dynamic 3‐D trajectory tracking model predictive control of autonomous underwater vehicles with external disturbances

AbstractThis paper studies the three‐dimensional (3‐D) dynamic trajectory tracking control of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). As AUV is a typical nonlinear system, each degree of freedom is strongly coupled, so the traditional control method based on the nominal model of AUV cannot guarantee the accuracy of the control system. To solve this problem, we first propose a prediction model based on a radial basis function neural network (RBF‐NN). The nonlinearity of AUV is learned and modeled offline by RBF‐NN based on previous data. This model can reflect the time sequence state and control variables of AUV. Secondly, to avoid the overfitting problem in network training based on the traditional gradient descent method, a new adaptive chaotic sparrow search algorithm (ACSSA) is proposed to optimize the network parameters, to improve the full approximation ability of RBF‐NN to nonlinear systems. To eliminate the steady‐state error caused by external interference during AUV trajectory tracking, a nonlinear optimizer is designed by updating the deviation of the NN model output layer. In each sampling period, the predictive control law is calculated online according to the deviation between the predicted value and the actual value. In addition, the stability analysis based on the Lyapunov method proves the asymptotic stability of the controller. Finally, the 3‐D dynamic trajectory tracking the performance of AUV under different external disturbances is verified by MATLAB/Simulink, and the results show that the proposed controller is more efficient and robust than the standard model predictive controller (MPC) controller and the standard NN model predictive controller (NNPC).

Combined immersed boundary and discrete unified gas kinetic scheme for the motion of an autonomous underwater vehicle model with slip over a solid-liquid interface

To improve the endurance and speed of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), we consider adopting the slip over a solid-liquid interface, which has the effect of drag reduction. However, the simulation of motion of an AUV with the slip remains a challenge due to the fluid-structure interaction and multiscale problems involving the moving boundary. To solve these problems, the present work proposes a novel and competitive mesoscopic method. Firstly, the Discrete Unified Gas Kinetic Scheme (DUGKS) coupled with the immersed boundary method is improved by correcting the boundary force, avoiding any additional computational time or implementation effort. Its effectiveness and accuracy are validated by two numerical tests involving the moving boundary. Furthermore, a fluid-solid interaction force is introduced to this method to model the slip condition due to its easy and effective implementation. We perform the experiment of motion of an AUV model in water to further validate the proposed method, which shows that it can predict acceptable results. Then, the method is applied to study the effect of the slip on the motion of the AUV model. The greater slip induced by the fluid-solid interaction force has a greater effect on reducing the drag and improving the velocity. It is indicated that increasing the fluid-solid interaction force can increase the amplitude and decrease the oscillation frequency of the drag curve. Overall, the slip can improve the endurance and speed of the AUV model.

Research on the Control Problem of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Based on Strongly Coupled Radial Basis Function Conditions

This paper addresses tracking control problems for autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) systems with coupled nonlinear functions. For the first time, the radial basis function (RBF) is applied to the model reference adaptive control system, and the vehicle horizontal plane model is proposed. When the AUV movement is affected by the driving force, ocean resistance, and the force generated by the water current, the expected output of the AUV’s system is difficult to meet the expectations, making the AUV trajectory tracking problems challenging. There are two main options for finding suitable controllers for AUVs. The first is making the AUV model achieve better stability using a more complex controller. The second is the simpler controller structure, which can ensure faster system feedback. The RBF and model reference adaptive control (MEAC) system are combined to increase the number of hidden layers, increasing the AUV tracking stability. Because the embedded computing module of an AUV is a bit limited, 31 hidden layers are chosen to simplify the controller structures. A couple of Lyapunov functions are designed for the expected surge and sway velocities, and the vehicle tracking error gradually converges to (0,0). The controller design results are imported into the AUV actuator model by software, and after 0.64 s, the AUV tracking error is less than 1%. At last, the vehicle tracking experiments were carried out, showing that after 0.5 s, the AUV tracking error was less than 1%.

Three-Dimensional Trajectory Tracking of AUV Based on Nonsingular Terminal Sliding Mode and Active Disturbance Rejection Decoupling Control

This paper presents a nonsingular terminal sliding mode and active disturbance rejection decoupling control (NTSM-ADRDC) scheme for the three-dimensional (3D) trajectory tracking of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV). Firstly, the AUV model is decoupled into five independent single input–single output (SISO) channels using ADRDC technology. Secondly, the NTSM-ADRDC controller is designed. The linear extended state observer (LESO) is used to observe the AUV state variables, and estimate the total disturbance of the system. In addition, to improve the system error convergence rate, the combination of exponential reaching rate and NTSM constitutes a nonlinear states error feedback control law for the controller. Finally, the stability of the proposed control law is proved using the Lyapunov theory. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the designed NTSM-ADRDC trajectory tracking approach.

A general motion control framework for an autonomous underwater vehicle through deep reinforcement learning and disturbance observers

This paper investigates the application of deep reinforcement learning (RL) in the motion control for an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), and proposes a novel general motion control framework which separates training and deployment. Firstly, the state space, action space, and reward function are customized under the condition of ensuring generality for various motion control tasks. Next, in order to efficiently learn the optimal motion control policy in the case that the AUV model is imprecise and there are unknown external disturbances, a virtual AUV model composed of the known and determined items of an actual AUV is put forward and a simulation training method is developed on this basis. Then, in the given deployment method, three independent extended state observers (ESOs) are designed to deal with the unknown items in different directions, and the final controller is obtained by compensating the estimated value of ESOs into the output of the optimal motion control policy obtained through simulation training. Finally, soft actor-critic is chosen as deep RL algorithm of the framework, and the generality and effectiveness of the proposed method are verified in four different AUV motion control tasks.

Improved line-of-sight nonlinear trajectory tracking control of autonomous underwater vehicle exposed to high variable speed ocean currents

In this paper, a new controller is proposed to help AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) track ideal trajectory in the high speed and variable speed ocean current environment. The kinematic and dynamic model of AUV under current interference is derived in the defined coordinate system. For the observation of variable speed current, the proposed controller proposes an improved extended state observer based on ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) sensor and fuzzy control. In order to resist the interference of high speed current, the proposed controller introduces an auxiliary lateral thruster to improve the anti-current capability of AUV. In order to coordinate the path tracking performance and current interference resistance of AUV, the proposed controller proposes an improved line of sight method, where observer gain is selected through fuzzy control. The improved line of sight method compensates for the prediction error of the state observer and the error in the AUV speed regulation process through the switching symbol function term in the sliding film control. The AUV's speed gradually reaches the ideal speed calculated by the navigation law through the dynamic controller, which is designed based on the backstepping method. Finally, the proposed controller is theoretically proved by the Lyapunov stability criterion and tested by comparison simulation in various working environments and controllers.

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Positioning Control - a Velocity Form LPV-MPC Approach*

In this work, the positioning control of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is considered for docking operations in the presence of varying tidal currents. The AUV model is described by a dynamic model and a kinetic model, both are linear parameter varying (LPV). A velocity form LPV model predictive control (LPV-MPC) scheme is proposed, in which the AUV dynamic model is used for the states and the kinetic model is used for the output. The interdependence of AUV kinematic model and dynamic model is exploited to avoid increased state dimension. The complete velocity form controller design enables the cancellation of disturbance effects through the use of the AUV's velocity vector increment for predicting the future evolution of the system. Compared to the original predictive control for the Naminow-D AUV that uses a time-varying Kalman filter for state estimation to approximate disturbances, the proposed algorithm does not require an estimator to eliminate unknown current disturbance, therefore simplifies design and implementation. Simulation studies show the merit of the proposed controller over the original Naminow-D predictive controller especially in terms of improved transient response and reduced sensitivity to time-varying external disturbances.

Communication-Aware Formation Control of AUVs With Model Uncertainty and Fading Channel via Integral Reinforcement Learning

Most formation approaches of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) focus on the control techniques, ignoring the influence of underwater channel. This paper is concerned with a communication-aware formation issue for AUVs, subject to model uncertainty and fading channel. An integral reinforcement learning (IRL) based estimator is designed to calculate the probabilistic channel parameters, wherein the multivariate probabilistic collocation method with orthogonal fractional factorial design (M-PCM-OFFD) is employed to evaluate the uncertain channel measurements. With the estimated signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), we employ the IRL and M-PCM-OFFD to develop a saturated formation controller for AUVs, dealing with uncertain dynamics and current parameters. For the proposed formation approach, an integrated optimization solution is presented to make a balance between formation stability and communication efficiency. Main innovations lie in three aspects: 1) Construct an integrated communication and control optimization framework; 2) Design an IRL-based channel prediction estimator; 3) Develop an IRL-based formation controller with M-PCM-OFFD. Finally, simulation results show that the formation approach can avoid local optimum estimation, improve the channel efficiency, and relax the dependence of AUV model parameters.