Control of Large Actuator Arrays Using Pattern-Forming Systems
Abstract
Pattern-forming systems are used to model many diverse phenomena from biology, chemistry, and physics. These systems of differential equations have the property that as a bifurcation (or control) parameter passes through a critical value, a stable spatially uniform equilibrium state gives way to a stable pattern state, which may have spatial variation, time variation, or both. There is a large body of experimental and mathematical work on patternforming systems. However, these ideas have not yet been adequately exploited in engineering, particularly in the control of smart systems; i.e., feedback systems having large numbers of actuators and sensors. With dramatic recent improvements in micro-actuator and micro-sensor technology, there is a need for control schemes better than the conventional approach of reading out all of the sensor information to a computer, performing all the necessary computations in a centralized fashion, and then sending out commands to each individual actuator. Potential applications for large arrays of micro-actuators include adaptive optics (in particular, micromirror arrays), suppressing turbulence and vortices in fluid boundary-layers, micro-positioning small parts, and manipulating small quantities of chemical reactants.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA439849
Entities
People
- E. W. Justh
- P.S.Krishnaprasad
Organizations
- University of Maryland