Browse Topic: Control systems

Items (6,150)
A new method for dynamic modeling and active control of the large-scale, on-orbit assembled two-dimensional planar phased array antenna is proposed in this study. As the demand for high imaging accuracy and scanning coverage in satellite antennas increases, there is a shift toward larger apertures. However, large-scale phased array antennas face challenges such as low rigidity and significant nonlinear vibration during attitude maneuvers, which can degrade pointing accuracy and shape precision. To address these issues, this study proposes a dynamic modeling framework that incorporates geometric nonlinearity, employing finite element method (FEM) and a polynomial fitting-based model order reduction technique. A rigid-flexible coupling dynamic model is then developed based on the velocity variation principle. In control design, the paper integrates an active vibration control law using cable actuators with a computation torque algorithm based on control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) to design an integrated attitude-vibration control system. This system aims to suppress nonlinear vibration while achieving high-precision attitude control. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed integrated control approach in both vibration suppression and attitude maneuvering, offering valuable insights for its practical application in future space missions.
Ma, Yihao, Liu, Xiang, Jin, Chaochen, Cai, Guoping
During aerobraking, spacecraft deploy large flexible solar arrays to obtain enough aerodynamic drag. In the rarefied Martian atmosphere, rapidly varying dynamic pressure causes low-frequency elastic vibrations of these appendages, leading to coupled translation-rotation-vibration fluid-structure interaction (FSI) that affects both aerodynamic characteristics and attitude stability. Traditional high precision methods such as DSMC are difficult to apply to long-duration simulations owing to their high computational cost. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a one-way FSI framework, which conbines a cross-regime panel method for aerodynamic calculation with a reduced-order multibody dynamic model. The simulation results show that the framework can reduce the computational burden while retaining the main physical characteristics required for the analysis. The aeroelastic response of a representative spacecraft configuration is analyzed, and the results can support configuration design, aerobraking corridor constraints, and control system development.
Zhou, Tianhao, Cui, Hutao
The performance of MEMS accelerometers is highly sensitive to temperature variations, manifesting as zero drift, sensitivity drift, and hysteresis error. This paper presents a low-temperature-drift, low-noise interface ASIC for capacitive MEMS accelerometers. The circuit employs an analog closed-loop architecture comprising a small-capacitance front-end detection circuit, a variable gain amplifier (VGA), a correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit, a PID controller, and a feedback module. To suppress temperature-induced errors, key optimizations are implemented: the charge amplifier employs active and passive charge compensation techniques to reduce common-mode offset drift; the VGA uses switched feedback resistors for gain adjustment; a Class-AB unity-gain buffer enhances driving capability while isolating load interference; and a high-order compensated bandgap reference with pre-regulation achieves low temperature drift and high power supply rejection. Post-layout simulations demonstrate a system sensitivity of approximately 2.27 V/g, a sensitivity temperature coefficient of 74.55 ppm/°C, and a 1σ zero-bias temperature drift of 1.757 mg. Experimental results over the full temperature range from -45°C to 85°C show an output hysteresis error of only 0.6 mg. These results validate the effectiveness of the proposed temperature hysteresis error suppression technique, providing a valuable reference for the design of high-precision MEMS accelerometer interface circuits.
Zhao, Weiqiao, Liu, Guowen, Hao, Zhiwen, Li, Zhaohan, Gao, Naikun, Zhang, Wenbo, Fu, Qiang, Yin, Liang
This paper addresses the problem of formation reconfiguration for deputy spacecraft flying in a spatial circular formation around a chief spacecraft. To improve the real-time applicability of formation control under onboard computational limitations, a reconfiguration method is proposed by integrating Tschauner–Hempel (T-H) relative dynamics, Event-Triggered Model Predictive Control (ET-MPC), and a Move Blocking strategy, while explicitly considering collision-avoidance constraints. Based on the T-H relative dynamic model, an MPC framework is established to generate control inputs for the reconfiguration process. To reduce the computational burden of conventional MPC, an event-triggering mechanism is introduced so that the optimization problem is solved only when necessary, rather than at every sampling instant. Meanwhile, a Move Blocking strategy is employed to reduce the number of online decision variables by constraining successive control moves over predefined intervals. In addition, to simultaneously address inter-spacecraft collision avoidance and limited-thrust constraints, an optimization model with binary variables is formulated. To evaluate the proposed approach, four simulation cases, namely MPC, ET-MPC, MB-MPC, and MBET-MPC, are conducted under the same reconfiguration scenario. Simulation results show that all four methods can successfully accomplish the formation reconfiguration task while satisfying the minimum safe-distance requirement. Moreover, the methods incorporating Move Blocking reduce the computation time required for solving each individual optimization problem, while the event-triggered schemes significantly reduce the number of optimization updates compared with the corresponding time-triggered methods, thereby further lowering the overall computational cost. The results demonstrate that the proposed method provides an effective and feasible solution for real-time formation reconfiguration and control on resource-constrained spacecraft platforms.
Zhang, Yuning, Zhang, Zexu, Liang, Jintang
To effectively address the challenges of cooperative control for quadrotor formations in complex environments, this paper extends the dual-quaternion based nonlinear model predictive control (DQ-NMPC) framework to leader-follower formation. Unlike conventional methods that treat translation and rotation separately, the dual-quaternion based model achieves a unified and compact representation of rigid-body motion using only eight real numbers without singularities, enabling global description on SE(3). Through the logarithmic map, the pose error is mapped from the Lie group to its Lie algebra, resulting in a quadratic cost function that naturally resolves the dimensional inconsistency between position and attitude errors, thereby simplifying weight tuning and improving numerical stability. Building on this formulation, a UAV formation controller is developed, where the relative motion between leader and follower is concisely described using dual quaternions, and a minimum safe distance constraint is explicitly incorporated to avoid collisions and maintain safe separation. In formation scenarios, the follower autonomously accomplishes chasing, rendezvous, and formation keeping under various trajectories, including straight-line pursuit and Lissajous curves. Moreover, the stability of formation control is validated under non-ideal conditions such as communication delay, mass mismatches, and constant external disturbances. Furthermore, the optimal weight combination is determined through grid search, which further improves formation tracking accuracy and control smoothness. In addition, the proposed framework inherently supports time-varying formation patterns, such as dynamic switching between different relative configurations and adaptive scaling. Computational efficiency analysis shows that the average solution time per control cycle is far below the sampling interval, validating real-time feasibility. Overall, the DQ-NMPC framework provides a unified, robust, and efficient solution for quadrotor formation control under both ideal and perturbed environments.
Li, Jiaye, Zhang, Zexu, Liu, Jingzong
2
Guo, Zili, Gao, Sihong, Liu, Yuhan, Wang, Pengyu, Guo, Yanning
This article develops a comprehensive vehicle control system for pure electric wheel loaders, covering the entire development process. Based on a dual-motor and two-speed transmission configuration, the collaborative design of the hardware and software for the vehicle control unit (VCU) was completed. Vehicle control strategies were developed, including motor demand torque calculation, an overspeed protection algorithm, a gear shift control algorithm, an energy recovery strategy integrating coasting and braking, and control methods for the working system. Finally, the control strategies were verified and optimized through real vehicle tests. Experimental results indicate that the developed pure electric loader exhibits excellent performance. Compared with a diesel counterpart of the same tonnage, its maximum speed is increased by 19.4%, operational productivity (V-cycle loading cycles per hour) is improved by 8.7%, while the operating cost is only 35% of that of the diesel model. This study provides a solution validated by real vehicle tests for the development of vehicle control systems for pure electric construction machinery.
Xu, Haozhi, Ji, Shaobo, Che, Renhai, Tan, Yuchen, Hou, Defeng, Ren, Shuojin, Zhao, Jiayang
ISO 26262ISO/SAE 21434ISTQB/ASPICEMOSAGCIAVICTORY
Priemer, Douglas, Sime, Karl
This study compares the energy efficiency of a real battery pack and a simulated battery pack using a hardware-in-the-loop battery emulator, through experimental testing on a dedicated inertia dynamometer for light quadricycles. The investigated LiFePo4 battery pack has a nominal voltage of 48 V and a nominal capacity of 100 Ah. Initial characterization identified a reduced State of Health based on capacity (SOHC), with a measured usable capacity of 48 Ah (from the nominal 100 Ah) and a corresponding reduction in charge acceptance capability. The emulator was configured to replicate the degraded battery characteristics, including the open-circuit voltage (OCV)-SOC relationship, internal resistance, and current limitations, enabling a direct comparison between simulated and experimental dynamic behavior. The experimental setup was designed to overcome the limitations of conventional chassis dynamometers for low-mass, independent four-wheel-drive quadricycles operating without mechanical friction braking systems. Multiple driving cycles were reproduced using a PLC-based closed-loop control system, with data acquisition performed via CAN communication. The comparative analysis highlights significant differences during regenerative braking events. While the emulator accurately reproduces baseline electrical behavior under mild operating conditions, the aged battery exhibits strong limitations during both high-power acceleration and severe deceleration phases. In particular, increased internal resistance and transient electrochemical polarization lead to premature saturation of charge acceptance, resulting in rejection of high-frequency current transients. Consequently, the experimentally observed energy recovery is significantly lower than the theoretical values predicted by the emulator. In addition, due to the absence of mechanical braking, the reduced regenerative capability directly leads to speed tracking deviations, as the required braking torque cannot be fully achieved. These results identify battery degradation as a key physical constraint affecting both energy efficiency and dynamic braking performance, highlighting the importance of improved electro-thermal and aging-aware model calibration for realistic system-level simulations.
Sementa, Paolo, Vaglieco, Bianca Maria, Altieri, Nunzio
Estimating battery state of health (SOH) from field data is essential to ensure successful operation and increase the uptime of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Most studies in the literature propose methods relying on datasets acquired under controlled laboratory conditions. However, SOH estimation becomes significantly more challenging when dealing with real-world data due to the increased variability and complexity of operating conditions. In this work, CAN telematics data, sampled at 1 Hz, were collected over approximately 20 months of operation from 10 electric commercial vehicles. During this period, a maximum battery degradation of 4% is observed within the fleet. Firstly, a model-based framework was introduced, in which a second-order battery equivalent circuit model (ECM) was coupled with an extended Kalman filter (EKF) to estimate the battery SOH. Results confirmed that the EKF is able to accurately capture the battery's physical behavior and degradation trend, yielding a maximum root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.23% when compared with the SOH signal provided by the onboard BMS. However, a Kalman filter requires accurate model parameter identification and high-frequency measurement data, leading to increased computational costs. To bridge these gaps, this paper utilizes the SOH estimates obtained from the EKF to train and validate a feedforward neural network (FNN) model, specifically designed to operate on aggregated metrics. The FNN model can provide accurate SOH estimates, with a RMSE as low as 0.26% during the testing phase. The approach proposed in this work combines the interpretability of model-based methods with the scalability and reduced data dimensionality of machine learning (ML) ones, making it more suitable for monitoring battery SOH in large fleets of BEVs.
D'Agostino, Valerio, Pulvirenti, Luca, Shanker, Anirudh, Cardone, Massimo, Rizzoni, Giorgio, Vitale, Francesco
One challenge in railway operation is how to achieve high levels of punctuality and reliability. However, especially in peak hour operation, a high volume of train traffic will affect timetables, which are more sensitive to the increase in travel time. The concept of virtual coupling has been introduced for controlling train movement mainly to increase capacity. As the operation under virtual coupling requires a short separation distance between trains, it might be applied to reduce the delay and recover the train timetable. However, there is no approach proposed detailing how the coupling is applied to reduce delay. In this paper, the virtual coupling state movement approach based on a vehicle following model with the coupling conditions determined to couple a group of trains for reducing or preventing secondary delay is proposed. The train operation under the proposed approach is simulated in MATLAB software, then applied to the hypothetical case, High-speed line, Bangkok - Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. The delay analysis is performed, and the waiting probability is determined to prove the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The simulation results show that trains will be virtually coupled with their front train as a form of train convoy when they cannot proceed at the ideal speed. Thus, operating train movement based on the proposed approach can reduce secondary delay and bring a train to arrive on time compared to the operation under the moving block control.
Chansong, Sukanya, Ketphat, Naphat
This work introduces a Model Predictive Control (MPC) path tracking controller, which is developed to boost robustness, tracking precision, and vehicle stability when navigating high-speed and high-curvature driving scenarios. First, a 3-degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) dynamic model of the vehicle is established to serve as a reference. Next, a linear time-varying MPC control algorithm is formulated, with constraints on yaw rate, lateral velocity, and road boundary conditions taken into account; a comprehensive performance metric that balances tracking accuracy and control smoothness is also defined. Third, the time-domain parameters of the MPC framework are optimized using an improved genetic algorithm. Finally, the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed controller are validated via co-simulation experiments conducted on the Matlab/Simulink and Carsim platforms. Simulation results demonstrate that the controller exhibits excellent robustness: the peak lateral tracking error is only 0.05 m on high-friction roads and 0.12 m on low-friction roads, with a maximum heading error of 0.15°. Additionally, the vehicle’s dynamic stability is notably enhanced: the yaw rate is reduced by 9.6% and 15.7% on high- and low-adhesion roads, respectively, while the sideslip angle is decreased by 13.2% and 18.4% under the same conditions.
Yu, Hanzhengnan, Hou, Xiaoyi, Zhang, Hao, Zhou, Weichen, Liu, Yu
Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) operate in complex and uncertain environments, which require a suitable controller. While traditional PID controllers are widely used, they often have slow response speed and inadequate disturbance rejection, particularly under complex and uncertain conditions. To overcome these shortcomings, this paper introduces the DDPG-DLPID, an adaptive motion controller, including a Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) reinforcement learning that can acquire the parameters of PID controllers. In this paper, we design two loops: the inner loop handles velocity regulation, and the outer loop handles position and attitude. By using DDPG, the system can efficiently adjust the PID parameters of both loops in real time, allowing it to effectively adapt to environmental changes and achieve optimized requirements. To evaluate the controller, we design the following scenarios, including straight-line and complex path-following tasks. Compared with single-loop PID and dual-loop PID controllers, the proposed DDPGDLPID approach achieves faster response and higher tracking accuracy, while substantially reducing tracking errors under interference conditions. Physical experiments under three conditions-straight-line voyage, attitude maintaining, and depth control-were further carried out to validate the strategy’s real-world applicability. Experimental data confirm that DDPG-DLPID has better performance when compared with both traditional PID and dual-loop PID controllers across all test scenarios.
Wang, Ling, Shi, Yan
To ensure the dynamic characteristics in the vehicle’s longitudinal control process, a longitudinal control strategy considering the speed reference trajectory is designed. Based on a hierarchical control method, the speed input in the upper-level control algorithm is designed using a reference trajectory, and the model predictive control (MPC) algorithm is applied to solve for the vehicle’s desired acceleration. In the lower-level control, a feedforward and feedback control structure is used to track the target acceleration, while an inverse longitudinal model is established to calculate the vehicle actuator outputs. Finally, simulation verification is carried out for host vehicle speed change and cut-in, cut-out situations ahead of the vehicle. The results indicate that the method achieves a smoother acceleration response, ensuring driving comfort.
Song, Jia, Li, Wenjie, Ma, Wenyu
To address problems in China’s emergency rescue scenarios—such as limited functionality, insufficient mobility, poor adaptability to complex terrain, the labor-intensive nature of manual carrying, and the lack of flexibility of fully automatic carts—a traction-type emergency rescue power-assisted follow-up vehicle was designed and developed. With the core design goals of “lightweight, high mobility, and human-machine collaboration”, this power-assisted follow-up vehicle has multiple advantages. At the structural level, it supports rapid folding and unfolding, enabling convenient operation and adaptation to transportation needs in various emergency rescue scenarios. In terms of material selection, it balances strength and lightweight properties, and its key components possess anti-cutting and flame-retardant capabilities, allowing adaptation to the harsh environment of emergency rescue. The power system adopts modular replaceable batteries and is equipped with a high-performance control unit, motor, and shock-absorbing suspension design. This enables normal operation in a variety of complex terrains. The control system is centered on human-machine collaboration. It features simple operation and automatic adjustment of operating status, effectively reducing the operational burden and physical exertion of rescuers. Meanwhile, it supports the master-slave expansion function, allowing flexible switching from a two-wheel structure to a four-wheel structure to meet diverse rescue needs such as material transportation and casualty transfer. This power-assisted follow-up vehicle can effectively solve the material transportation problem in the “last few kilometers” of emergency rescue.
Xu, Jiang, Hou, Yumeng, Yang, Han
In view of the large volume and weight of the tires of mining dump trucks and the difficulty in replacing them, a large tire replacement robot is proposed based on the tire parameters and the tire replacement process. The overall research scheme for the robot was developed using the functional analysis method, and the functional element solution and combination were completed. Based on the best solution obtained, a three-dimensional model of the tire changing robot was established using the SolidWorks software, followed by control system design and workflow analysis. To investigate the robot's operational kinematics, a simulation was conducted in the SolidWorks Motion module. The motion curve of the flipping platform during its operational state was obtained. A finite element simulation of the robot's front support beam was performed using ANSYS Workbench to obtain its stress and deformation contours under both no-load and heavy-load conditions. The structural parameters of the front support beam were optimized, focusing on its mechanical characteristics under heavy-load conditions, and the response surfaces of different parameters were obtained. The optimization yielded a 9.599 kg reduction in the mass of the front support beam. The maximum stress of the grasping mechanism under static simulation analysis is 50.617 MPa, with the maximum deformation of 0.4221 mm occurring at the end of the mechanical hand. Ground contact simulation for the robot's walking tires was conducted with Abaqus. Employing the Mooney-Rivlin hyperelastic model, this study investigated the mechanical response of the tire to static and dynamic loading, leading to the identification of the optimal operational load. The simulation results show that there is no interference among the various mechanisms of the large tire changing robot during operation. It can quickly complete the tire installation and removal tasks with precise control, and its strength and rigidity meet the requirements. This verifies the rationality and feasibility of the robot. The research on the large tire changing robot can provide a new approach for the maintenance of large transport vehicles such as mining dump trucks.
Tian, Liyong, Zhang, Haijian
SAE J1939-73 defines the SAE J1939 messages to accomplish diagnostic services and identifies the diagnostic connector to be used for the vehicle service tool interface. Diagnostic messages (DMs) provide the utility needed when the vehicle is being repaired. Diagnostic messages are also used during vehicle operation by the networked ECUs to allow them to report diagnostic information and self-compensate as appropriate, based on information received. Diagnostic messages include services such as periodically broadcasting active diagnostic trouble codes, identifying operator diagnostic lamp status, reading or clearing diagnostic trouble codes, reading or writing ECU memory, providing a security function, stopping/starting message broadcasts, reporting diagnostic readiness, monitoring engine parametric data, etc. California-, EPA-, or EU-regulated OBD requirements are satisfied with a subset of the specified connector and the defined messages.
Truck and Bus Control and Communications Network Committee
The issues associated with the traditional single-gimbal control moment gyroscope (SGCMG) driven by electromagnetic motors, such as complex structure, significant gear backlash, weak anti- interference capability, poor adaptability to space environments, and large volume and weight, make it difficult to meet the attitude control requirements of micro/nano satellites. To address these issues, this paper proposes an SGCMG design based on a rotary traveling wave ultrasonic motor (RTWUM) drive. Ultrasonic motors offer advantages including high torque, fast response, self-locking upon power-off, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and simple structure, making them suitable for spacecraft attitude control systems. This paper elaborates on the working principle and structural design of the ultrasonic motor, covering the entire process from stator modal optimization, flywheel and gimbal structural design to system integration and control system implementation. Through finite element analysis and experimental verification, the designed ultrasonic motor-driven SGCMG meets the requirements of micro/nano satellites in terms of output torque, speed control accuracy, and structural compactness, demonstrating the promising application prospects of ultrasonic motors in aerospace attitude control.
Wu, Jintao, Zhang, Jiyang, Li, Huafeng, Pan, Song
Research on automatic emergency braking (AEB) control algorithms for heavy vehicles is relatively limited. Compared with passenger cars, heavy vehicle AEB algorithms must accommodate both unloaded and fully loaded conditions, with the latter posing higher demands. This study compares two distinct AEB control strategies: the time-to-collision (TTC) algorithm and the professional driver fitted (PDF) algorithm. Using simulation analyses under three regulatory-recommended scenarios—stationary lead vehicle, slow-moving lead vehicle, and decelerating lead vehicle—the results indicate that the PDF-based control system better adapts to both unloaded and fully loaded conditions. It demonstrates significant improvements in braking performance and robustness compared to the TTC-based system. For an unloaded vehicle equipped with the PDF–AEB control system (5500 kg), the final gap to the lead vehicle is the longest (11.5 m) under the scenario of a stationary lead vehicle with an initial ego vehicle speed of 80 km/h and the shortest (3.1 m) under the scenario of a lead vehicle with an initial speed of 50 km/h braking at 0.4 g. For a fully loaded vehicle (12,500 kg), the corresponding final gaps to the lead vehicle are 11.2 m and 2.5 m, respectively.
Lai, Fei, Huang, Chaoqun
The economic logic behind factory software upgrades is breaking down. For the past four decades, automating a factory has meant one thing: buying into a large industrial software platform. Manufacturers turned to established suppliers such as Rockwell Automation and Siemens for the control systems, execution layers, and quality software that run their plants, millions of lines of rigorously engineered code, developed under strict standards and wrapped in guardrails. That rigor was never optional. When software commands a robot arm, a stamping press, or a paint line, a defect is not a bug ticket; it is a safety incident. The engineering discipline behind these platforms reflects that reality, and has served the industry well. But discipline at that scale comes at a price. Platform deployments are measured in millions of dollars and years of integration work, which means they only make economic sense for the largest, most repeatable problems a plant faces. Everything else, the hundreds of smaller, plant-specific pain points that erode margins every day, has largely gone unaddressed. Running a modern factory became expensive by design.
Cros, Fabien
This article focuses on the research and development of a remote cab controller for pure electric loaders, aiming to address the threats posed by traditional loaders operating in harsh and hazardous environments to drivers’ health and safety. First, the functional requirements of the controller were analyzed, based on which the hardware design with a multicore microprocessor as the core was completed, featuring functions such as signal acquisition, controller area network (CAN) communication, and H-bridge driving. On this basis, a control algorithm framework for remote driving was developed, including modules for signal input, analysis and processing, and signal output. Detailed control strategies were formulated for key components: For the pedal sensor, algorithms for opening degree calculation, automatic zero-position calibration, and dual-signal redundant fault diagnosis were proposed; for the steering module, precise angle calculation and force feedback feel simulation were achieved; and for the electric control handle, a hysteresis control algorithm was developed to suppress shocks caused by overly fast operations. In addition, a hierarchical fault diagnosis mechanism was established to ensure system safety. To verify the controller performance, a complete remote driving system was built. Field test results show that the system exhibits good signal following and control responsiveness in terms of traveling and working functions. Efficiency tests indicate that the remote driving efficiency can reach 80% of that of in-person operation under short-term test conditions, demonstrating the technical feasibility and control effectiveness of the developed controller. While the prototype exhibits promising performance for pilot deployment, long-term reliability metrics such as mean time between failures (MTBF) remain to be validated through extended field operation.
Lu, Yueqi, Ji, Shaobo, Yu, Qiuye, Li, Meng, Xu, Haozhi, An, Meng
As tractor-trailers are essential to global logistics, their roll stability during emergency maneuvers is a critical safety concern. This paper presents a novel delay-compensated active roll control strategy for tractor-trailers using a two-dimensional piston pump electro-hydrostatic actuator (EHA). Unlike existing advanced strategies that assume ideal actuator behavior, this approach specifically targets the inherent response delay in high-tonnage applications. A detailed EHA model, including pump flow characteristics and hydraulic mechanics, was developed and validated through step response experiments. A seven-degree-of-freedom vehicle dynamics model and a model predictive controller were also constructed to compute the required anti-roll moment under emergency driving conditions. In order to address the EHA actuator’s response delay, a delay feedforward controller (DFC) was designed, integrating acceleration feedforward, feedback regulation, and delay disturbance estimation. TruckSim–Simulink co-simulations under double lane-change (DLC) maneuvers at 40 km/h, 60 km/h, and 80 km/h show that DFC improves displacement tracking and reduces peak trailer roll angle by up to 15% compared to a velocity-feedforward proportional-integral-derivative (VFPID) controller. It also enhances control efficiency, as evidenced by lower average motor speeds and pressure response of EHA. The system demonstrates high power-to-weight ratio and efficient tracking capabilities under dynamic conditions. Although active control provides limited benefit at low speeds, the proposed strategy effectively improves roll stability and driving safety under dynamic conditions.
Chen, Lijie, Yin, Yuming, Zeng, Yuhang, Ruan, Jian, Li, Hangqi, Sun, Peng
Air springs are increasingly replacing traditional shock absorbers in vehicle suspension systems due to their superior mechanical properties, including adjustable stiffness, nonlinear characteristics, and excellent damping performance. To further explore the potential of air suspension in improving ride comfort, this paper focuses on air suspension. We first conducted mechanical characteristic experiments on air springs to obtain their stiffness and damping characteristics under different inflation pressures and excitation frequencies. These tests provide essential mechanical parameters for subsequent modeling and simulation. Based on the experimental data, a simplified 1/4 air suspension simulation model is constructed, taking into account the nonlinear stiffness and damping properties of the air springs. To simulate real-world driving conditions, a random road surface model is introduced as the excitation input. Simulation analysis is conducted to compare the air suspension system with the traditional passive suspension system. The results indicate that, compared to the passive suspension system, the air suspension system integrated with Model Predictive Control(MPC) significantly reduces key performance indicators, including suspension deflection, wheel dynamic load, and sprung mass vertical acceleration. This indicates that the suspension with model predictive control can effectively suppress vehicle vibrations, thereby enhancing ride comfort and driving stability. The results of this study provide an important basis for the optimal design of air suspension systems and have practical application value for improving the suspension performance of the vehicle.
Yin, Zhi
A test device for detecting the durability of the surface of elderly-friendly mattresses was designed and developed, which has functions such as force value monitoring, displacement monitoring, data recording, and hardness grade determination. Through the collaborative work of the mechanical system and the control system, high-precision reciprocating rolling tests and hardness grade determination on the mattress surface are realized. The verification test results show that the relative standard deviation (RSD) value of the mattress hardness grade test results is less than 10%, indicating that the detection data obtained by using this device is stable, meets the design requirements, and has operability.
Wang, Jin, Feng, Panpan, Shen, Guofeng, Zhang, Lei
With the increasing demand for material microimaging analysis, there is a growing need for advanced precision grinding and polishing equipment, especially for metals, ceramics, and composites. Existing automated systems struggle with handling complex material challenges. This paper presents a fully automated adaptive grinding and polishing machine based on an STM32 microcontroller that handles multi-material samples. The system includes modules for sample access, cleaning, pad replacement, human-computer interaction, and equipment communication. The STM32 microcontroller executes grinding and polishing tasks based on instructions from the host computer while dynamically adjusting PID control parameters using an improved weighted average optimization algorithm. This approach enhances control accuracy, stability, and overall surface treatment quality compared to traditional PID control methods.
Zhang, Longqing, Kong, Xiangyu, Zhao, Xiuyang, Li, Xingbei
To solve the poor mobility of traditional camping vehicle chassis in complex terrains and confined spaces, this paper proposes an underactuated omnidirectional mobile chassis for outdoor camping vehicles. The chassis adopts a coupled commutation mechanism (double-crank elastic special-shaped connecting rods cross sliders), allowing each wheel to realize two motion modes (omnidirectional translation, in-situ rotation) with just one drive motor, reducing system complexity and cost. A control system based on the RoboMaster Development Board C Type integrates PID angle-loop control and motor speed-current dual closed-loop control for motion stability. Kinematic models for these two modes are established to derive the wheel parameter-chassis motion relationship. MATLAB R2023b-ADAMS 2024 co-simulations show the chassis maintains attitude stability under S-shaped curve, circular curve, and in-situ rotation; Qualisys 3D motion capture experiments confirm its stable attitude in omnidirectional movement.
Ren, Yulong, Lu, Zhiguo, Yang, Dongsheng, Wu, Di, Zhang, Tianyu, Qian, Zhenxin
The coupled multi-physical field environment in space, including vacuum, high-low temperature cycles, and temperature gradients, is the key factor affecting the life of the spacecraft’s rotary mechanism. Aiming at the use requirements of long-life space rotary mechanisms, this paper designs a multi-physical field accelerated life test scheme. This scheme simulates the vacuum environment, high-low temperature cycles, and temperature gradient conditions encountered during on-orbit operation. Ground-based accelerated life tests were conducted based on this scheme to verify the life of the mechanism under a comprehensive environment. Taking a certain type of space rotary mechanism as the test object, an integrated test platform was constructed, incorporating a vacuum simulation system, a temperature gradient control system, and a mechanism performance test system. Corresponding test procedures and failure criteria were established. Test results verified that after accumulating 130,000 ±7° small-angle reciprocating swings, the mechanism’s lifespan indicators met expectations. Post-test, the overall performance of the mechanism still satisfied the design requirements, with key moving components remaining in good condition. This study provides important experimental evidence for the on-orbit application of this mechanism type and offers valuable engineering reference for the design and evaluation of life tests for space mechanisms under multi-physical field coupling conditions.
Wang, Haomiao, Du, Yuefei, Huang, Mengzhe, Yang, Jinping
Aiming at the problems of seed cane pile-up and unstable seed supply efficiency in the sugarcane seed production line caused by the seed supply device, a stable seed supply control system was designed, which consists of a seed collection box, an elastic seed-clearing plate and an electrical control system, etc. The EDEM-RecurDyn coupling simulation was adopted to analyze the seed supply process, and the optimal elastic seed-clearing plate structure was designed. Using the single factor test and Box–Behnken experimental design analyzed the effects of the seed supply belt speed, the speed of the first conveyor belt, the number of sugarcane seeds in the collection box and the seed cutting efficiency on the supply efficiency. Establish a quadratic regression model for the efficiency of seed supply and determine the optimal parameter combination: the seed supply belt speed of 0.097 m/s, first conveyor belt speed of 1.639 m/s, and the number of sugarcane seeds is 14. Using the number of sugarcane seeds as the input quantity for the controller, the real-time data is fed back by the TOF sensor. The controller automatically adjusts the seed-cutting efficiency to maintain the continuity and stability of the seed supply process of the seed supply device. The test results show that after applying this system, the seed supply efficiency reached 1.77 setts/s, which was 6% higher than that of the fixed-parameter system. This research can provide technical support for the stable seed supply of integrated equipment for sugarcane seed production.
Li, Shangping, Xu, Hechang, Ouyang, Runhong, Li, Kaihua
In order to achieve precise control of refueling volume, improve oil change efficiency, reduce oil pollution and waste, a new oil change device for the reducer of the range hood equipment is studied. We design a new oil change device that integrates oil discharge and refueling functions based on the operating characteristics of the reducer in the range hood equipment. Using the rotational speed of the power pump and the flow rate of the oil pipeline as variables, we determine the refueling flow rate using a one-dimensional quadratic formula. Based on direct control theory, we optimize the relative position parameters of each component of the device, establish a control matrix, and achieve precise control. The experimental results show that the new oil change device exhibits good performance during both one-time oil discharge and refueling processes, meeting the precise control standards for refueling volume. The design and application of a new oil change device can effectively improve the efficiency and accuracy of oil change in the reducer of the range hood equipment, and have practical application value.
He, Pengtao, Wei, Bo, Liang, Zhiyuan, Deng, Weiren, Liang, Wenbin, Xing, Yuquan
This article focuses on a wide range of high-precision storage and supply systems. Under the rated flow rate of 2.928 mg / s of the proportional flow controller, the instantaneous flow fluctuation range of the BangBang valve reaches 2.963 mg / s, exceeding the control accuracy requirement of 1% for the proportional flow controller. By establishing mathematical models of the BangBang valve, proportional valve, and proportional flow controller for simulation analysis, the trend of the simulation results is consistent with the experimental results. Furthermore, considering the spatial layout and weight of the storage and supply system, this paper proposes a method to improve the accuracy of flow output by adding 180 mL of air capacity between the proportional valve and the proportional flow controller. Ultimately, the maximum flow fluctuation of the proportional flow controller at the moment of the BangBang valve opening and closing is 2.941 mg / s, which meets the control accuracy of the proportional flow controller. Moreover, the error between the output flow rate of the proportional flow controller and the rated working flow rate is minor after increasing the air capacity.
Li, Zhong, Li, Zongliang, Yan, Zelong, Huang, Tiankun
Trajectory tracking control serves as the core operational component of autonomous vehicles, directly determining driving safety and passenger comfort by ensuring control precision and stability. To enhance the tracking accuracy and stability for autonomous vehicles, this study proposes a coupled lateral–longitudinal trajectory tracking controller based on multi-agent reinforcement learning. The framework first establishes a Model predictive controller (MPC) derived from vehicle dynamics, formulating the lateral control process as a Markov decision process. A reward function incorporating lateral error, heading error, and steering angle is designed, followed by the construction of a Deep Q-Network (DQN) Agent to optimize the prediction horizon of the MPC. Subsequently, a position–velocity dual-loop PID controller is developed for longitudinal control, with its parameter optimization strategy learned through a Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) Agent. The Extended State Observer (ESO) is incorporated to perform steering angle compensation for internal modeling errors and external disturbances. Co-simulation experiments are conducted in CarSim and MATLAB/Simulink, and the results demonstrate that the coupled controller achieves superior tracking accuracy and stability in both overtaking and lane-changing scenarios compared with the decoupled controller.
Kun, Feng, Jinxiang, Zhai, Li, Wenli
To address the challenges faced by micro flapping-wing flying robots in visual navigation—specifically, the large volume of visual information and the difficulty in transforming it into usable intelligent visual data—this paper proposes a clustering-based data-driven approach for directional and image perception. The aim is to enable intelligent visual navigation for flapping-wing robots. The proposed method performs clustering analysis on gyroscope data from the flapping-wing robot to extract directional features. Simultaneously, it applies clustering techniques to visual images captured by the robot to identify intelligent features such as edges. This approach enables the robot to acquire multiple optimized perceptual data types, thereby enhancing the behavior control system. Through the use of clustering analysis, the method not only improves the effectiveness of visual navigation but also extracts features related to visual targets and environmental information, providing technical support for visual target tracking. The experimental platform consists of a flapping-wing robot equipped with an onboard camera, and the proposed clustering-driven visual image perception approach has been experimentally validated. Experimental results demonstrate the high feasibility and effectiveness of the method in practical applications. The main contributions of this study lie in two aspects: (1) a clustering-driven visual image perception method for flapping-wing robots, and (2) a clustering-based approach for identifying posture and behavioral patterns of flapping-wing flying robots.
Li, Zixuan, Ding, Wei, Zhang, Feng, Song, Min, Liu, Zhaoming, Miao, Lei, Liu, Haotian, Bai, Ning, Tian, Shen, Cui, Long, Wang, Hongwei
The development of remote tower systems in aviation and the resurgence of multi-display interfaces and virtual environments have dramatically influenced ATC, increasing both controllers’ visual demands and their ergonomic needs. This study uses the Visual Ergonomics to study the impact of screen luminance level, along with color temperature, on trainees’ visual performance, fatigue, and physical discomfort in the control rooms of the Remote Tower. By combining a simulated remote control system with spectrometer measurements, PVT alertness tests, VMT (Visual Memory Test) measurements, and subjective evaluations, COST B21 can build up a multi-dimensional ergonomic assessment framework. Eight levels of display luminance (and color temperature) were tested, including two illuminance levels (300 lx and 400 lx) and four color temperature ranges (6000 K–9000 K). Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), these parameters were assigned weights to derive a Visual Ergonomics (VE) scoring model, and the ideal visual performance was observed at 400 lx illuminance and 8000 K CCT. The results clearly illustrate the significant impact of display parameters on operational performance in remote tower systems and provide both practical data and a theoretical basis for the human factors design and fatigue reduction research on RTSs.
Zhong, Linfeng, Hu, Ruohui, Luo, Peilin, Zuo, Qinghai, Zhong, Qingwei, Ai, Yi
This study presents a full-envelope attitude-stabilisation and trajectory-tracking strategy for morphing flying-wing UAVs operating in highly nonlinear and strongly coupled conditions. The approach integrates fuzzy C-means (FCM) envelope partitioning with L1 adaptive control. Small-disturbance linear models are first generated at multiple altitude–Mach trim points; the FCM algorithm then performs unsupervised clustering in the state space, yielding representative subintervals that capture local flight-dynamic characteristics. The optimal cluster number and fuzziness exponent are selected using the partition coefficient, partition index, partition entropy, and Xie–Beni indices. For each sub-interval, an LQR baseline controller is designed and augmented by an L1 adaptive compensator, where a low-pass filter decouples adaptation from robustness to guarantee specified transient-performance bounds under matched/unmatched uncertainties, actuator saturation, and external disturbances. A feed-forward pre-filter realises online decoupling of the multi-input multi-output channels, thereby enhancing adaptability to variable sweep angles and large aerodynamic variations. Simulations covering low-speed/small-sweep and high-speed/large-sweep scenarios demonstrate that the proposed method sustains robust stability across the clustered envelope, outperforming conventional control schemes and confirming its engineering applicability.
Tang, Longhao, Sun, Xiaoxu, Liu, Changlin
Quadrotors (UAVs) are widely used in intelligent inspection, environmental monitoring, and logistics due to their simple structure, strong maneuverability, and vertical take-off and landing capabilities. However, their highly nonlinear, strongly coupled, and highly constrained dynamic characteristics make trajectory tracking control a challenging task. To improve trajectory tracking accuracy and control robustness, this paper proposes a quadrotor trajectory tracking method based on model predictive control (MPC). First, a six-degree-of-freedom dynamic model of the quadrotor is established and linearized with small disturbances to transform it into a state-space model suitable for MPC design. An MPC optimization controller is then constructed, with an objective function that minimizes state error and imposes an input energy penalty, while explicitly considering the system's input and state constraints. Simulation results demonstrate that this method exhibits good tracking accuracy and control smoothness for typical trajectory tracking tasks (such as circular and spiral trajectory tracking). Compared with traditional PID and LQR controllers, the proposed method significantly improves maximum error, mean square error, and interference rejection. This study provides an engineering-feasible optimization control framework for UAV trajectory control.
Peng, Fei, Tao, Zhong, Gao, Qiang, Jia, Bobo
In recent years, with the low-altitude economy developing rapidly, the operation and management of low-altitude airspace has gradually become a hot topic. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) constitute a fundamental component of the low-altitude airspace ecosystem, significantly influencing its structure and functionality. The technological advancement of UAVs has fundamentally transformed the operational paradigm for low-altitude airspace management. This paper presents a comprehensive review of UAV-supported technologies in the context of low-altitude airspace operations and management. It systematically analyzes key technologies and applications of UAVs in areas such as airspace capacity and safety assessment, trajectory planning, and standardized flight management. Drawing from kinematic analysis and traffic flow theory, UAV density control and collision risk prediction offer quantitative insights into airspace capacity evaluation. Additionally, probabilistic analysis and simulation techniques enhance the accuracy and efficiency of safety assessments. In trajectory planning, multi-objective optimization algorithms tailored to operational scenarios—such as logistics delivery and agricultural operations—have significantly improved the utilization of airspace resources. Concurrently, collision avoidance techniques leveraging graph search, numerical optimization, and machine learning ensure flight safety in complex environments. Standardized flight management relies on pilot qualification review, airworthiness certification, and planning standardization, while discussing airspace segmentation strategies based on geofencing and intelligent control systems. Future developments in UAV-supported technologies are expected to trend toward higher precision, intelligence, and regulatory integration. By incorporating cutting-edge fields such as deep reinforcement learning and digital integration, these technologies are poised to further enhance the efficiency and safety of low-altitude airspace management, thereby providing robust technical support for the sustainable growth of the low-altitude economy.
Gong, Lei, Ma, Zhenxiao, Luo, Qin
Aiming at the problems of model uncertainty, external disturbances and high-frequency chattering of traditional sliding mode control in complex working conditions for quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles, this paper proposes a control strategy based on fractional-order sliding mode. The quadrotor UAV control system has problems such as parameter uncertainty, multi-input multi-output, and sensitivity to internal and external disturbances. Traditional PID control has certain limitations. Sliding mode control has the advantages of strong robustness and simple implementation. Fractional-order calculus has hereditary and memory properties. The combination of the two has better control performance for nonlinear systems. To further improve the trajectory tracking performance of quadrotor UAVs, a fractional-order sliding mode controller is designed based on fractional-order theory and traditional sliding mode control. Finally, multiple experiments are conducted in Matlab/Simulink, including trajectory tracking, parameter perturbation, and anti-interference simulation experiments. The control results of various controllers are compared and analyzed to verify the effectiveness of the fractional-order sliding mode control method designed in this paper.
Liu, Jingyi, Zhou, Qi, Wang, Jiajia, Lu, Zhaona
Batteries generate a large amount of heat during operation, and if it cannot be dissipated in a timely and effective manner, it will seriously affect the performance, lifespan, and even safety of the battery. Therefore, battery heat dissipation has become a key challenge in the development of new energy vehicles. The traditional liquid cooling system has problems such as complex design and control, and the need to improve heat dissipation efficiency. To address these issues, this study proposes an optimized design scheme for battery environment heat dissipation control system based on liquid cooling heat dissipation system. This study first conducted an in-depth analysis of the thermal generation mechanism of lithium-ion batteries and studied existing examples of thermal management schemes. On this basis, an innovative forward and reverse circulation device was designed, combined with a liquid cooling heat dissipation structure. The Keil uVision4 programming software was used to write the microcontroller control program, and the circuit was simulated and verified using Proteus simulation software. This study established an experimental platform and conducted physical testing and thermal imaging detection. By collecting temperature change data under different heat dissipation modes and analyzing the experimental data, the results show that the optimized liquid cooling heat dissipation system significantly improves the heat dissipation efficiency. The system exhibits good performance under different cooling modes.
Ding, Xvqiang, Ni, Yiwei, Gu, Chen, Zhang, Jin, Chen, Mingyang, Jiao, Yunxiao
With the rapid development of the low-altitude economy—represented by drone logistics, aerial inspections, and air taxis—air traffic has exhibited new characteristics including diverse forms, high density, and significant speed differences. To address these changes, the traditional air traffic control system requires upgrades, particularly in dynamic aircraft scheduling. This study proposes an air traffic control model (DS-ATM) tailored to this domain, built on the Deepseek large model. By integrating spatiotemporal graph neural networks with multi-objective reinforcement learning algorithms, the model achieves real-time path planning and conflict resolution in complex airspace environments. Validated using public datasets such as OpenSky Network, NASA UTM Dataset, and METAR meteorological data, experimental results demonstrate its significant advantages in reducing conflict rates and scheduling delays.
Li, Rui, Zhao, Fangyu, She, Yue, Li, Wujie
The turbine hybrid electric propulsion system is an important form of green aviation. Unlike the single form of aviation power scheme, the hybrid energy system is flexible in architecture, uses two or more energy forms, and has diverse energy sources. Under different mission requirements, it needs to meet the requirements of mass balance, energy balance, and power demand, etc. Therefore, The control and distribution management between different energy systems have become the key to hybrid power, and power management technology is one of the key challenges in the development of aviation hybrid power control systems. This paper reviews the current structural forms of aviation turbine hybrid electric propulsion systems, analyzes the current research status of power management technology for aviation hybrid systems, and points out that the online power management method based on optimization is the best power management technology solution for turbine hybrid electric propulsion systems. Establishing a high-precision and realtime on-board power calculation model, breaking through the power management method based on the integrated flight and engine, and improving the applicability of the power management method throughout the service life are important directions for promoting the development of online power management technology.
Cai, Changpeng, Liu, Hao, Gu, Jiangwei, Li, Shunming, Zhang, Haibo
The Active Wheel-Corner (AWC) integrates driving, braking, steering, and suspension systems into the wheel end, forming a fully drive-by-wire, four-wheel independent steering and four-wheel independent driving (4WIS&4WID) vehicle platform. While improving vehicle control performance, the full by-wire architecture also places higher demands on system reliability and fault tolerance. The steer-by-wire system has electrical, communication, and software failure risks, which may cause the vehicle to lose steering capability and trigger severe traffic accidents. This article proposes a hierarchical active fault-tolerant control strategy based on fault information reconstruction (FAST-FTC), enabling fault diagnosis and active fault-tolerant control when the steer-by-wire system fails, effectively ensuring the steering maneuverability and lateral stability of the vehicle under fault conditions. First, the strategy designs an adaptive observer combined with the Dugoff tire model to estimate nonlinear tire forces, while introducing a fault factor to achieve quantitative grading of steering system faults. Second, a hierarchical controller is designed for steering system faults. The upper-level controller, based on Adaptive Super-Twisting Sliding Mode Control (AST-SMC), determines the generalized forces required to track the desired trajectory under different fault conditions. The lower-level controller, based on the Fault-Aware Model Predictive Control (FA-MPC) strategy, dynamically adjusts weight matrices according to the fault factor and tire reconstructed stiffness, coordinating the allocation of four-wheel driving and the steering of healthy wheels to ensure lateral stability. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed active fault-tolerant control strategy is validated through Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation and real-vehicle tests.
Xiao, Feng, Jiang, Yueyong, Cheng, Rui, Xu, Changhe, Tang, Xiangjiao, Gao, Fengling, Li, Jianhua
These days, the vehicle dynamics control of electric vehicles (EVs) with multi-actuated architectures has been widely investigated. Such EVs have a torque vectoring differential (TVD), which can generate a torque difference between the left and right wheels. As one of TVDs, a two-motor-torque difference amplification mechanism (TDA-TVD), has been proposed. The TDA-TVD can generate a greater torque difference compared to an individual-wheel-drive (IWD) system. However, it has controllability difficulties due to its two resonance modes. Previous studies first proposed a frequency response model of the TDA-TVD and anti-vibration feedforward torque controllers based on an average-differential coordinates (ADC) transformation. Subsequently, wheel speed control (WSC) and slip ratio control (SRC) based in the ADC were presented. However, only the WSC was designed with frequency domain analysis, and the SRC was designed with manual tuning. In this study, the closed loop of the SRC of the TDA-TVD is modeled in the frequency domain, and a parameter determination method based on Nyquist plot and sensitivity function analysis of the SRC, which is the outer loop of the WSC, is suggested. Next, several SRC strategies are proposed, depending on the driver’s preference. Lastly, experimental results using a real vehicle with the TDA-TVD on slippery surfaces are shown. Newly proposed and conventional SRCs are compared. The effectiveness of the proposed strategies is analyzed and presented.
Fuse, Hiroyuki, Fujimoto, Hiroshi, Sawase, Kaoru, Takahashi, Naoki, Takahashi, Ryota, Hayashi, Takayuki
The virtualization of powertrain systems is a key enabler for modern powertrain development. While physics-based 0D/1D simulation models provide accuracy and interpretability, these models are typically computationally demanding, prolonging the development process and usage throughout the V-cycle. Moreover, achieving real-time-capable simulation models through model simplifications remains challenging, as it often leads to significant losses in accuracy. In contrast, data-driven approaches can achieve high computational efficiency without significantly compromising model accuracy. This opens the possibility for not only online control applications, such as model predictive control or reinforcement learning, but also for computational expensive offline control prototyping using ultrafast-running data-driven digital twins. This work focuses on the elaboration of a scalable methodology for the development of ultrafast-running powertrain models for stationary and transient engine operation. This includes the efficient generation of training data with great variance, data analysis, and preparation, an optimized partitioning method using the Jensen–Shannon distance, feature engineering, model training of a multilayer perceptron (MLP), a long short-term memory (LSTM), and gated recurrent unit (GRU) network, followed by the model evaluation using test data and the concluding model deployment. In order to demonstrate the concept, a calibrated 0D/1D model of a dual-fuel marine main engine provided by WinGD Ltd. for a pure car and truck carrier is utilized as the reference physics-based model. The case study provides a comprehensive examination of the development of ultrafast-running data-driven fuel consumption models in both stationary and transient engine operation. The results show that the proposed methodology yields robust results and minimizes the loss of accuracy to 1.80%–2.14% for the MLP predicting the steady-state fuel consumption and to 0.67%–0.96% (GRU) and 1.52%–1.68% (LSTM) for predicting the transient fuel consumption, while achieving a multiple 104-fold reduction of the real-time factor (RTF) on an identical CPU.
Weller, Louis, Zanelli, Alessandro, Yang, Qirui, Brutsche, Martin, Grill, Michael, Kulzer, André Casal
Trajectory tracking control and vehicle state estimation are core functionalities of highly automated vehicles and must operate reliably under strict real-time constraints as well as in the presence of model uncertainties and limited sensor availability. This paper presents an integrated, real-time capable framework for trajectory tracking control and vehicle state estimation, developed within the UShift II research project and implemented on the highly automated vehicle platform. The framework combines nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) for trajectory tracking with an extended Kalman filter (EKF) for multi-sensor state estimation within a modular system architecture. The NMPC is based on a vehicle model designed for low-speed automated driving maneuvers and explicitly accounts for actuator constraints. Trajectories are tracked based on local planned reference trajectories while ensuring smooth and physically feasible control inputs for underlying control. The EKF fuses measurements from global navigation satellite system (GNSS), inertial sensors, and wheel-speed-based odometry, providing consistent estimates of the vehicle states under varying sensor availability. Particular emphasis is placed on robustness and computational efficiency in order to meet the real-time execution requirements on the target hardware. The complete framework is implemented on automotive-grade real-time hardware and validated on the U-Shift II vehicle platform. Experimental results demonstrate reliable localization performance, smooth and accurate trajectory tracking, and deterministic real-time execution, confirming the suitability of the proposed approach for practical low-speed automated driving applications.
Fuchs, Sören, Neubeck, Jens, Wagner, Andreas
Opposed-piston free-piston engine generators (OFPEGs) are emerging as a promising technology for next-generation hybrid and electrified transportation systems due to their high efficiency, reduced mechanical complexity, and improved noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) characteristics. However, due to eliminating the conventional crankshaft mechanism and directly coupling a free-piston engine with linear generators, performance of OFPEG systems is governed by a strong coupling between piston dynamics, in-cylinder combustion processes, and electrical loading conditions. This coupling presents substantial challenges for system design, control, and optimization, limiting the further development and application of OFPEGs. Existing researches lack a comprehensive numerical model that integrates detailed in-cylinder thermodynamic process with control system of linear generator, and quantitative analysis of the effect of piston motion trajectory on system performance remains insufficiently explored. In this study, a novel one-dimensional OFPEG model is developed in Gasdyn and coupled with a linear motor model and a control strategy in MATLAB/Simulink, thus forming a complete numerical model for OFPEG. The model is validated against experimental measurements, demonstrating effective prediction of thermodynamic and dynamic performance with acceptable errors. Based on the validated model, the effects of varying piston motion trajectory on system performance are analyzed. Lower Rt and higher Ωcom and Ωexp are recommended for higher performance. When Rt is reduced to 2.5:1, thermal efficiency and indicated power improve to 36.3% and 3.4 kW, respectively. When Ωcom is increased to 0.6, thermal efficiency and indicated power improve to 35.5% and 3.22 kW, respectively. When Ωexp is increased to 0.6, thermal efficiency and indicated power improve to 36.0% and 3.41 kW, respectively. These improvements are primarily attributed to reduced heat transfer losses and enhanced scavenging efficiency under the modified trajectories. The results provide valuable insights into the optimization of piston motion trajectory to achieve higher performance. Furthermore, the proposed numerical model provides an effective tool for OFPEG design, optimization, and control strategy development, supporting the advancement of high-efficiency, low-carbon OFPEG systems for future transportation applications.
Wang, Jiayu, Morandi, Nicola, Lucchini, Tommaso, FENG, HUIHUA, Jia, Boru, Ren, Peirong
Distributed drive electric vehicles (DDEVs) provide enhanced maneuverability through independent wheel torque control, but coordinating precise path tracking with lateral stability remains challenging under aggressive driving conditions. This paper presents a coordinated control strategy that integrates model predictive control (MPC) for path tracking with a proportional gain controller for stability regulation. The proposed framework adopts a hierarchical design. The path tracking control leverages MPC to compute front steering commands while accounting for vehicle dynamics and preview errors. The stability adjustment uses dual proportional gain controllers to generate an additional yaw moment, which is adaptively balanced through a phase plane coordination mechanism, enhancing yaw stability during path tracking. The generated yaw moment is subsequently distributed to individual in-wheel motors with an optimization torque allocation method, respecting tire force limitations. The effectiveness of the proposed strategy is validated with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) experiments under a double lane change maneuver. Results show that the coordinated approach improves path following and maintains yaw stability more effectively than conventional methods.
He, Yang, Zhu, Yuzheng, Guo, Ruixin, Zhu, Yueying, Xing, Chao, Liu, Shuangxi, Lin, Yier
OEMs, integrators and suppliers must continuously process, assess and identify platform vulnerabilities to prioritize and implement updates that protect systems from cyberattacks and data breaches. Security researchers have demonstrated that the control systems in vehicles and machines are open to attack. In 2010, researchers from the University of Washington and the University of California, San Diego demonstrated that by gaining physical access to a vehicle, they could manipulate critical systems like brakes and engines. Just a few years later, security researchers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek remotely compromised a vehicle over the internet, controlling steering, braking and acceleration, leading to a 1.4 million vehicle recall. In 2024, researchers at Colorado State University successfully demonstrated a wireless drive-by hack by exploiting vulnerabilities in common electronic logging devices (ELDs). In their proof-of-concept test, they achieved remote control over a truck by reflashing the ELD with malicious firmware, which allowed them to slow down a moving truck and show a design for a truck-to-truck worm virus that could theoretically spread through a fleet.
McGuirk, Finn
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are increasingly deployed in diverse missions, and maintaining heading stability in the presence of unpredictable wind disturbance is a significant challenge. This paper proposes a novel model reference adaptive gain-scheduled PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) control framework tailored for the heading control of flapping-wing UAS (ornithopter) operating under dynamic wind conditions. The control architecture integrates an estimated wind disturbance value and adaptively tunes the PID gains by minimizing the error between the actual system response and a desired reference model. Gain scheduling mechanism uses airspeed, yaw rate, and estimated wind magnitude to ensure stability. The proposed method is validated on a 6-DOF UAS simulation model subjected to dynamic wind and temperature variation profiles. Comparative results show improved heading accuracy, responsiveness, and robustness over conventional fixed-gain and static gain-scheduled PID controllers, paving the way for safer and more efficient autonomous UAS missions. Also, the approach can be adapted to other platforms in future applications.
M V, Aruna, Melissa, Arul
This paper addresses the critical challenge of fault-tolerant control in autonomous multi-copters, particularly under conditions of one or two rotor failures a scenario that often leads to severe instability and a complete loss of directional control due to unbalanced torque and resultant autorotation. Existing advanced control strategies, including optimal approaches such as LQR, typically require precise system modeling and state estimation, which are difficult to achieve in real-world, dynamic failure scenarios. Alternative methods like fuzzy logic, sliding mode control, and gain-scheduling either lack robust generalization or are impractical for enumerating all possible failure cases. In this work, a hybrid control framework integrating Physics Informed Neural Networks (PINN) with a standard PID controller is proposed for fault-tolerant operation of autonomous multi-copters subject to multiple actuator failures. PINNs incorporate governing physical laws as regularization in their loss functions, allowing them to learn optimal counter-torque actions and thrust balancing necessary to arrest autorotation and stabilize flight, despite limited training data and uncertainty in failure conditions. The calculated moments and thrust commands are executed via a robust PID scheme, enabling reliable real-time implementation and minimizing residual oscillations. This hybrid control architecture demonstrates significant potential to enhance the resilience and operational safety of autonomous multi-copters during unexpected motor failures. By leveraging PINN’s physics-based generalization and PID’s consistent execution, the proposed method offers an adaptive, model-agnostic approach for maintaining stable flight and directional control under severe actuator faults, with implications for next-generation fault-tolerant UAV systems deployed in complex environments.
Charapalle, Samruddhi, Venugopalan, Nandagopalan, Nerkundram Muralidharan, Arun, Sundararaj, Laveen
Items per page:
1 – 50 of 6150