Steering Control and Geomagnetism Cancellation for an Autonomous Vehicle using MR Sensors

This paper describes the steering control and geomagnetism cancellation for an autonomous vehicle using an MR sensor. The magneto-resistive (MR) sensor obtains the vector summation of the magnetic fields from embedded magnets and the Earth. The vehicle is controlled by the magnetic fields from embedded magnets. So, geomagnetism is the disturbance in the steering control system. In this paper, we propose a new method of the sensor arrangement in order to remove the geomagnetism and vehicle body interference. The proposed method uses two MR sensors located in a level plane and the steering controller has been developed. The controller has three input variables ($dB_x$, $dB_y$, $dB_z$) using the measured magnetic field difference, and an output variable (the steering angle). A simulation program was developed to acquire the data to teach the neural network, in order to test the ability of a neural network to learn the steering control process. Also, the computer simulation of the vehicle (including vehicle dynamics and steering) was used to verify the steering performance of the vehicle controller using the neural network. From the simulation and field test, good result was obtained and we confirmed the robustness of the neural network controller in a real autonomous vehicle.