Observer-based Predictive Torque Control with Disturbance Rejection for Multi-Motor Drives with Uncertain Load Profiles in Autonomous Maritime Vehicles is a mouthful, but let's break down the key principles of this control approach step by step:
Multi-Motor Drives: This refers to a system where multiple electric motors are employed to drive different components or subsystems within an autonomous maritime vehicle. Such systems are common in ships, submarines, underwater drones, and other autonomous aquatic vehicles.
Predictive Torque Control: Predictive control is a control strategy that uses a model of the system to predict its future behavior and then computes control inputs that optimize a certain performance criterion. In this case, torque control involves regulating the torque applied to each motor to achieve desired system behavior. Predictive torque control goes a step further by predicting future behavior and adjusting torque inputs to optimize performance.
Observer-Based Control: An observer is a mathematical model that estimates the internal state variables of a system based on the available measurements. In this context, an observer is used to estimate the current state of the multi-motor system, which might not be directly measurable. Observer-based control utilizes these state estimates to make control decisions.
Disturbance Rejection: Disturbances are external factors that can impact the behavior of a system. These could be wind, waves, changes in payload, etc. Disturbance rejection means designing the control system to minimize the impact of these disturbances on the system's performance. It involves predicting the effects of disturbances and adjusting control actions to counteract them.
Uncertain Load Profiles: Load profiles refer to the variations in load that a system experiences. In maritime vehicles, these could include changes in cargo, varying water resistance, and other dynamic factors. Uncertain load profiles imply that the exact nature and magnitude of these loads may not be known with certainty. The control approach should be able to handle such uncertainty and adapt accordingly.
Autonomous Maritime Vehicles: These are self-navigating waterborne vehicles that can perform tasks without direct human intervention. They require sophisticated control strategies to ensure safe and efficient operation.
The integration of these principles involves developing a mathematical model of the multi-motor system, including its dynamics, torque response, and disturbance effects. An observer is designed to estimate the system's internal states, and this estimated information is then used in a predictive control algorithm. This algorithm considers both the desired performance and the effects of uncertain load profiles and disturbances to compute optimal torque commands for each motor.
The goal of this approach is to enhance the performance of the multi-motor drives in autonomous maritime vehicles by anticipating system behavior, estimating states, and rejecting disturbances in real-time. This contributes to better control, efficiency, and stability, enabling the vehicle to navigate and operate effectively even in the presence of uncertain and dynamic maritime conditions.