• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2024

This paper proposes a linear model predictive control of 6-DOF remotely operated underwater vehicles using nonlinear robust internal-loop compensator (NRIC). First, we design a integrator embedded linear model prediction controller for a linear nominal model, and then let the real model follow the values calculated through forward dynamics. This work is carried out through an NRIC and in this process, modeling errors and external disturbance are compensated. This concept is similar to disturbance observer-based control, but it has the difference that H_∞ optimality is guaranteed. Finally, tracking results at trajectory containing the velocity discontinuity point and the position tracking performance in the disturbance environment is confirmed through the comparative study with a traditional inverse dynamics PD controller.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.688-693
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• 2013

This paper proposes a new method on attitude control of an underwater robot by using five ABTs (Attitude Ballast Tank). A pipe is connected to the bottom of the ABTs and transfers water by a pump, while another pipe is connected to the top of the ABT to transfer air. The buoyancy center of the underwater robot can be changed by means of the water transfer. This way, the attitude of the underwater robot can be maintained and/or controlled as desired. The changes of the center of gravity and the buoyancy central are estimated by a Lagrangian function which is similar to that for an inverted pendulum. The controller in this paper is designed by modeling of the underwater robot and selecting suitable gains of a PD controller which has fast response characteristics. This paper shows the possibility of the attitude control of an underwater robot by changing the center of gravity and the buoyancy center of the robot. Moreover, experimental results verify that the controller is effective in maintaining Roll/Pitch of the underwater robot with very low power consumption.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.82-87
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• 2023

This paper proposes a disturbance observer-based control for 6-DOF remotely operated underwater vehicles with model uncertainties. The sum of external disturbance and the forces generated from model parameters except for the inertial matrix of the hydrodynamic model is defined as a lumped disturbance in this paper. Then, the lumped disturbance caused by model uncertainties and the external forces is estimated using the disturbance observer. Fortunately, the disturbance observer is constructed as a linear form because all the elements of the inertial matrix of the hydrodynamic model are constants. To verify the proposed control scheme, we show that the actual lumped disturbance is similar to the estimated lumped disturbance obtained by the disturbance observer. Finally, the position tracking performance in the disturbance environment is confirmed through the comparative study with a traditional inverse dynamics PD controller.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.1203-1211
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• 2009

The dynamics of underwater vehicles can be greatly influenced by the dynamics of the vehicle thrusters. The control of the state of the hovering or very slow motion of the underwater vehicle is most important for automatic docking or control of the manipulator of the vehicle. The dynamics of the thruster based on the electric motor is nonlinear and has uncertain parameters. Since the dynamics of the vehicle coupled with the dynamics of the thruster is nonlinear and has uncertain parameters, a robust control is very effective for a desired motion tracking of the uncertain and nonlinear vehicle. In this paper a study was performed on the robust control scheme of the very slow motion or hovering motion of the underwater vehicle actuated by the electric motor. Also, a concurrent control on the state of the vehicle with nonlinearity and uncertain parameters was performed. A sliding mode control algorithm out of robust controllers was designed and applied, which compensates the nonlinear forces and uncertain parameters of the vehicle and actuator. Through a computer simulation, the proposed control scheme was compared with a linear PD controller and its superior performance was validated.