Cerebellum-Inspired Model Predictive Control for Redundant Manipulators With Unknown Structure Information

The tracking control of redundant manipulators plays a crucial role in robotics research and generally requires accurate knowledge of models of redundant manipulators. When the model information of a redundant manipulator is unknown, the trajectory-tracking control with model-based methods may fail to complete a given task. To this end, this article proposes a data-driven neural dynamics-based model predictive control (NDMPC) algorithm, which consists of a model predictive control (MPC) scheme, a neural dynamics (ND) solver, and a discrete-time Jacobian matrix (DTJM) updating law. With the help of the DTJM updating law, the future output of the model-unknown redundant manipulator is predicted, and the MPC scheme for trajectory tracking is constructed. The ND solver is designed to solve the MPC scheme to generate control input driving the redundant manipulator. The convergence of the proposed data-driven NDMPC algorithm is proven via theoretical analyses, and its feasibility and superiority are demonstrated via simulations and experiments on a redundant manipulator. Under the drive of the proposed algorithm, the redundant manipulator successfully carries out the trajectory-tracking task without the need for its kinematics model.

In this work, we formulate a new, nonlinear, and time-variant transmitter equalization method based on the Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm. MPC is a class of control algorithms in which the current control action is obtained by solving, perhaps approximately, an online open-loop optimal control problem. One important advantage of the MPC in peak-power constrained link environment is its ability to cope with hard constraints on controls and states. Knowing the state of the channel enables a very fine nonlinear equalization. We utilize this flexibility to create various MPC formulations that control the entire eye-mask, receive signal dynamic range as well as the required quantization. Our MPC equalization significantly outperforms traditional transmitter techniques such as linear feed-forward and Tomlinson-Harashima equalizers, and gets very close to the optimized decision-feedback equalization at lower transmitter resolutions. We also describe the possible complexity reduction techniques that enable efficient implementation of our MPC algorithm in hardware.

This paper discusses the possibility of using a Jordan neural network as a model of dynamic systems and it presents a Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm in which such a network is used for prediction. The Jordan network is a simple recurrent neural structure in which only one value of the process input signal (from the previous sampling instant) and only one value of the delayed output signal of the model (from the previous sampling instant) are used as the inputs of the network. In order to obtain a computationally simple MPC algorithm, the nonlinear Jordan neural model is repeatedly linearised on-line around an operating point, which leads to a quadratic optimisation problem. Effectiveness of the described MPC algorithm is compared with that of the truly nonlinear MPC scheme with on-line nonlinear optimisation performed at each sampling instant.

This paper is concerned with a computationally efficient (suboptimal) nonlinear Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm based on neural Wiener models. The model contains a linear dynamic part in series with a steady-state nonlinear part which is realised by a neural network. The model is linearised on-line, as a result the nonlinear MPC algorithm needs solving a quadratic programming problem. The algorithm gives control performance similar to that obtained in nonlinear MPC, which hinges on non-convex optimisation. In order to demonstrate accuracy and computational efficiency of the considered MPC algorithm, a polymerisation reactor is studied.

A novel approach to the design of a model predictive control (MPC) algorithm for a complex plant (with energy integration and mass recycles) is given. Sensitivity analysis and steady‐state optimization are used to determine the manipulated variables that have the strongest influence on the objective function of the operation. This allows a reduction of the number of variables that are optimized on‐line, as well as the use of detailed, first‐principle–based models in the MPC algorithm, thus resulting in more reliable predictions. Moreover, the same algorithm can be used to control plants of different size, without the need of a new calibration of the parameters of the model. The application of this procedure to a pressure‐swing distillation unit is given as an example. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006

In this article, two new algorithms of the redundant force branch of 6-PUS/UPU parallel robot are proposed. They are model predictive control combining with proportional, integral, and differential algorithm and fuzzy combining with model predictive control algorithm. The shortcoming of the traditional model predictive control algorithm is complex adjustment, large amount of calculation, the dynamic performance effect of the system. The proposed PID model predictive control algorithm can make the controller parameters adjustment more convenient. However, PID model predictive control algorithm can’t obtain good control performance under sudden change in situation. Combining model predictive control algorithm with fuzzy theory, fuzzy model predictive control algorithm has better anti-interference ability than PID model predictive control algorithm and can reduce predictive horizon length as possible as it can. Simulation results show that fuzzy model predictive control algorithm can effectively improve real-time performance of control system, the dynamic tracking performance and robustness than the traditional model predictive control and PID model predictive control algorithm.

In this note, we present a model predictive control (MPC) algorithm for uncertain time-varying systems with input constraints and state-delay. Uncertainty is assumed to be polytopic, and delay is assumed to be unknown but with a known upper bound. For a memoryless state-feedback MPC law, we define an optimization problem that minimizes a cost function and relaxes it to two other optimization problems by finding an upper bound of the cost function. One is solvable and the other is not. We prove equivalence and feasibilities of the two optimization problems under a certain assumption on the weighting matrix. Based on these properties and optimality, we show that feasible MPC from the optimization problems stabilizes the closed-loop system. Then, we present an improved MPC algorithm that includes relaxation procedures of the assumption on the weighting matrix and stabilizes the closed-loop system. Finally, a numerical example illustrates the performance of the proposed algorithm.

This paper presents a model predictive control (MPC) algorithm designed for the cooling system of a small commercial building under a time-dependent electricity price profile. The proposed approach includes a problem formulation in terms of cooling power, a variable-length prediction horizon and the consideration of the equipment duty cycle as a constraint in the optimization algorithm. The cooling system is equipped with an ice bank for thermal energy storage. A simple linear building thermal model is used to calculate the required amount of cooling power to maintain thermal comfort. The MPC algorithm uses this information to find the optimal operating points for the chiller and the ice bank to minimize the electric energy cost. The results of the MPC algorithm are compared against those of the reactive rule-based control algorithm currently in use in the building.

Discussion on: “Improved MPC Design based on Saturating Control Laws”

This article addresses the problem of controlling discrete-time linear time-invariant systems with parametric uncertainties in the presence of hard state and input constraints. A suitably designed gradient-descent-based indirect adaptive controller, used to handle parametric uncertainties, is combined with a model predictive control (MPC) algorithm, which guarantees constraint satisfaction. An estimated model of the actual uncertain plant is used for predictions of the future states. The parameters of the estimated model are updated using a gradient-descent-based adaptive update law. The errors arising due to the model mismatch between the estimated plant model and the actual uncertain plant are accounted for using a constraint tightening method in the MPC algorithm. The proposed adaptive MPC strategy is proved to be recursively feasible and the closed-loop system is proved to be bounded at all instants and asymptotically converging to the origin.

Computationally efficient nonlinear predictive control based on neural Wiener models

This paper performs a feasibility analysis of deploying Model Predictive Control (MPC) for vehicle platooning on an On-Board Unit (OBU) and performance benchmarking considering interference from other (system) tasks running on an OBU. MPC is a control strategy that solves an implicit (on-line) or explicit (off-line) optimisation problem for computing the control input in every sample. OBUs have limited computational resources. The challenge is to implement an MPC algorithm on such automotive Electronic Control Units (ECUs) with an acceptable timing behavior. Moreover, we should be able to stop the execution if necessary at the cost of performance. We measured the computational capability of a unit developed by Cohda Wireless and NXP under the influence of its Operating System (OS). Next, we analysed the computational requirements of different state-of-the-art MPC algorithms by estimating their execution times. We use off-the-shelf and free automatic code generators for MPC to run a number of relevant MPC algorithms on the platform. From the results, we conclude that it is feasible to implement MPC on automotive ECUs for vehicle platooning and we further benchmark their performance in terms of MPC parameters such as prediction horizon and system dimension.

Glycemic control can reduce the mortality and morbidity of intensive care patients. The CLINICIP (closed-loop insulin infusion for critically ill patients) project aimed to develop a closed-loop control system for this patient group. Following a stepwise approach, we combined three independently tested subparts to form a semiautomatic closed-loop system and evaluated it with respect to safety and performance aspects by testing it in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in a first feasibility trial. Vascular microdialysis, a multianalyte infrared spectroscopic glucose sensor, and a standard insulin infusion pump controlled by an adaptive model predictive control (MPC) algorithm were combined to form a closed-loop device, which was evaluated in four T1DM subjects during 30-hour feasibility studies. The aim was to maintain blood glucose concentration in the target range between 80 and 110 mg/dl. Mean plasma glucose concentration was 110.5 ± 29.7 mg/dl. The MPC managed to establish normoglycemia within 105 ± 78 minutes after trial start and managed to maintain glucose concentration within the target range for 47% of the time. The hyperglycemic index averaged to 11.9 ± 5.3 mg/dl. Data of the feasibility trial illustrate the device being effective in controlling glycemia in T1DM subjects. However, the monitoring part of the loop must be improved with respect to accuracy and precision before testing the system in the target population.

In this paper, the unmanned vehicle trajectory tracking problems were studied. In order to improve the stability of unmanned vehicles, the trajectory tracking control algorithm based on model predictive control (MPC) algorithm was researched by adding the dynamic constraints of centroid, acceleration and tire side angle on the basis of vehicle dynamics model. The trajectory planning layer was established on top of the trajectory tracking control layer, and the Carsim/Simulink simulation platform was built. At different speeds and under different road adhesion conditions, the algorithm was verified and compared. The simulation results showed that the model predictive control algorithm with dynamic constraints was provided with excellent tracking performance under severe conditions and well adaptive to environment interference.

Two methods of prediction improvement in Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithms utilizing fuzzy Hammerstein models are proposed in the paper. The first one consists in iterative adjustment of the prediction, the second one – in utilization of disturbance measurement. Though the methods can significantly improve control system operation, they modify the prediction in such a way that it is described by relatively simple analytical formulas. Thus, the prediction has such a form that the MPC algorithms using it are formulated as numerically efficient quadratic optimization problems. Efficiency of the MPC algorithms based on the prediction utilizing the proposed methods of improvement is demonstrated in the example control system of a nonlinear control plant with significant time delay.