Control Contraction Metric Tuning for Robust Nonlinear Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current adaptive control systems, particularly in aerospace applications, face challenges in efficiently synthesizing controllers that balance robustness and performance while handling nonlinear dynamics and uncertainties.

Innovation Solution

The proposed method employs a 'double loop' optimisation procedure using Control Contraction Metrics (CCMs) within a Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) framework to determine optimised parameters for system control, addressing the trade-off between robustness and performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single optimisation procedure is used for controller synthesis, then the computational complexity is reduced, but the ability to balance robustness and performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptimisation procedure complexityVSAvoidcontroller robustness and performance balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller synthesis optimisation is divided into two separate procedures: a first optimisation procedure that prioritises robustness (using a first CCM with smaller weight on performance), and a second optimisation procedure that prioritises performance (using a second CCM with larger weight on performance). This segmentation allows each procedure to focus on one aspect without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between computational simplicity and balanced performance-robustness optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If aggressive optimisation is performed to improve performance, then system performance is enhanced, but system stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem performanceVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The first optimisation procedure is performed beforehand to establish robust controller parameters that ensure system stability. This preliminary action creates a stable foundation upon which the second optimisation procedure can then enhance performance without compromising stability. The sequential execution ensures that performance enhancement does not come at the cost of system stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple parameters are optimised simultaneously, then the control solution is more comprehensive, but the computational cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol solution comprehensivenessVSAvoidcomputation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The simultaneous optimisation of multiple parameters (robustness parameters and performance parameters) is segmented into two sequential optimisation procedures. The first procedure optimises robustness parameters, and the second procedure optimises performance parameters. This segmentation reduces the computational burden of each individual optimisation while maintaining the comprehensiveness of the overall control solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4566944A1Control system
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 BAE SYSTEMS PLC
  • EP4566944A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4566944A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4566944A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is herein disclosed a method for controlling a system. The method comprises obtaining a set of parameters for the system. The set of parameters comprise at least a first parameter, a second parameter and a third parameter and the set of parameters relate to features of the system suitable for controlling. The method further comprises performing a first optimisation procedure using the first parameter and second parameter to determine an optimised first parameter and optimised second parameter. The first optimisation procedure comprises defining a first control contraction metric (CCM) for the system. The method further comprises performing a second optimisation procedure using the first parameter, second parameter and third parameter, to determine an optimised third parameter. The second optimisation procedure comprises defining a second CCM metric for the system. The method further comprises combining the optimised first parameter, optimised second parameter and optimised third parameter to produce a final solution for controlling the system.