Feedback Control of a Hovercraft over a Wireless Link
Abstract
Nonlinear underactuated systems (i.e. systems with fewer control inputs than configuration variables) present significant challenges for automatic control. This thesis explores feedback control of an underactuated hovercraft over a wireless communication channel using techniques from nonlinear control theory. A family of control laws stabilizing the hovercraft reduced dynamicsincluding zero velocity, constant forward/reverse velocity, and constant angular velocity stabilizationare derived. Lyapunov arguments are used to prove convergence of the reduced dynamics under the control laws. It is shown that heading cannot be stabilized by a continuously differentiable state feedback law. In response, two hybrid control algorithms for heading stabilization are proposed. The control laws are demonstrated on a real R/C hovercraft using a distributed autopilot and a Bluetooth network. A two-dimensional aided INS is developed using a MEMs IMU and the CricketRF/ultrasonic ranging system. Experimental and simulated results from a high fidelity model are shown to agree nicely.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- AD1007038
Entities
People
- Zachary Kulis
Organizations
- University of Maryland