Search Results

This paper presents a novel design of a control law optimizing the performance of an on-demand all wheel drive (ODAWD) vehicle with hybrid powertrain for traction enhancement via slip regulation in a driving event. Based on a reasonably simplified vehicle model (bicycle model) and optimization of a performance index based on wheel slip, a closed loop actuator control law is derived. The proposed optimal controller tries to minimize the wheel slip error by activating and dynamically controlling the electric motor drive torque to the non-driven wheel pair (e.g. rear wheels), in order to enhance vehicle longitudinal traction. Simulation of the proposed controller was performed on a validated 14 degree-of-freedom detailed vehicle model in SIMULINK.

This paper presents a nonlinear observer and long range prediction based analytical redundancy for a Steer-By-Wire (SBW) system. A Sliding Mode Observer was designed to estimate the vehicle steering angle by using the combined linear vehicle model, SBW system, and the yaw rate. The estimated steering angle along with the current input was used to predict the steering angle at various prediction horizons via a long range prediction method. This analytical redundancy methodology was utilized to reduce the total number of redundant road-wheel angle (RWA) sensors, while maintaining a high level of reliability. The Fault Detection, Isolation and Accommodation (FDIA) algorithm was developed using a majority voting scheme, which was then used to detect faulty sensor(s) in order to maintain safe drivability. The proposed observer-prediction based FDIA algorithms as well as the linearized vehicle model were modeled in MATLAB-SIMULINK.

This paper discusses the development of a Distributed Intelligent Ground Speed Control System, similar to a cruise control system, based on Fuzzy Logic. Fuzzy sets have been developed to input speed error, acceleration and the absolute speed error in order to arrive at a defuzzified output for the impeller clutch control, brake control and the control law selection. A PI controller and a Sliding Mode controller are utilized based on the magnitude of the Absolute Speed Error. A road model is introduced with erratic set speed profiles, which is introduced to replicate a similar situation for a Stop & Go procedure. The system is simulated in a MATLAB/SIMULINK environment and the results indicate smooth and cooperative switching between the controllers stimulated by the Fuzzy Logic Controller.

Accuracy in detecting a moving object is critical to autonomous driving or advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). By including the object classification from multiple sensor detections, the model of the object or environment can be identified more accurately. The critical parameters involved in improving the accuracy are the size and the speed of the moving object. All sensor data are to be used in defining a composite object representation so that it could be used for the class information in the core object’s description. This composite data can then be used by a deep learning network for complete perception fusion in order to solve the detection and tracking of moving objects problem. Camera image data from subsequent frames along the time axis in conjunction with the speed and size of the object will further contribute in developing better recognition algorithms.

In this paper, multiple-model adaptive estimation techniques have been successfully applied to fault detection and identification in lithium-ion batteries. The diagnostic performance of a battery depends greatly on the modeling technique used in representing the system and the associated faults under investigation. Here, both linear and non-linear battery modeling techniques are evaluated and the effects of battery model and noise estimation on the over-charge and over-discharge fault diagnosis performance are studied. Based on the experimental data obtained under the same fault scenarios for a single cell, the non-linear model based detection method is found to perform much better in accurately detecting the faults in real time when compared to those using linear model based method.

In this paper, the design, implementation, and testing of an autonomous agricultural robot with GPS guidance is presented. This robot is also responsible for weed detection and killing by spraying appropriate herbicide as well as fertilizing. This rover is powered by 5 12 V electric bike batteries and two electric motors. Machine learning algorithms such as Haar feature-based cascade classifiers has been utilized to detect three kinds of common weeds found in a corn field. The robot control system consists of GPS guided control of propulsion system and steering actuators, an image processing and detection system, and a spray control system for herbicide and fertilizer applications. Multiple microprocessors such as Raspberry Pi 3, Arduino, as well as an on-board computer have used to provide all control functions in an integrated fashion. Open sources software such as Mission Planner and ReachView have been used to provide autonomous guidance of the vehicle.

Generalized predictive control (GPC) is a discrete time control strategy proposed by Clark et al [1]. The controller tries to predict the future output of a system or plant and then takes control action at present time based on future output error. Such a predictive control algorithm is presented in this paper for acceleration slip regulation in an automobile. Most of the existing literature on the brake based traction control systems (BTCS) lacks the insight into the wheel slip growth when the automobile is on a low friction coefficient surface and the driver has the throttle wide open. Simulation results show that the predictive feature of the proposed controller provides an effective way to control the wheel slip in a vehicle acceleration event.