Zhang-Gradient Control


Book Description

This book introduces readers to using the simple but effective Zhang-gradient (ZG) method to solve tracking-control problems concerning various nonlinear systems, while also highlighting the applications of the ZG method to tracking control for practical systems, e.g. an inverted-pendulum-on-a-cart (IPC) system and a two-wheeled mobile robot (showing its potential applications). In addition to detailed theoretical analyses of ZG controllers, the book presents a wealth of computer simulations to demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of the controllers discussed (as well as the method itself). More importantly, the superiority of ZG controllers in overcoming the division-by-zero (DBZ) problem is also illustrated. Given its scope and format, the book is well suited for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as academic and industrial researchers in the fields of neural dynamics/neural networks, nonlinear control, computer mathematics, time-varying problem solving, modeling and simulation, analog hardware, and robotics.




Zhang-Gradient Control


Book Description

This book introduces readers to using the simple but effective Zhang-gradient (ZG) method to solve tracking-control problems concerning various nonlinear systems, while also highlighting the applications of the ZG method to tracking control for practical systems, e.g. an inverted-pendulum-on-a-cart (IPC) system and a two-wheeled mobile robot (showing its potential applications). In addition to detailed theoretical analyses of ZG controllers, the book presents a wealth of computer simulations to demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of the controllers discussed (as well as the method itself). More importantly, the superiority of ZG controllers in overcoming the division-by-zero (DBZ) problem is also illustrated. Given its scope and format, the book is well suited for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as academic and industrial researchers in the fields of neural dynamics/neural networks, nonlinear control, computer mathematics, time-varying problem solving, modeling and simulation, analog hardware, and robotics.




Extremum-Seeking Control and Applications


Book Description

Extremum-seeking control tracks a varying maximum or minimum in a performance function such as output or cost. It attempts to determine the optimal performance of a control system as it operates, thereby reducing downtime and the need for system analysis. Extremum-seeking Control and Applications is divided into two parts. In the first, the authors review existing analog-optimization-based extremum-seeking control including gradient-, perturbation- and sliding-mode-based control designs. They then propose a novel numerical-optimization-based extremum-seeking control based on optimization algorithms and state regulation. This control design is developed for simple linear time-invariant systems and then extended for a class of feedback linearizable nonlinear systems. The two main optimization algorithms – line search and trust region methods – are analyzed for robustness. Finite-time and asymptotic state regulators are put forward for linear and nonlinear systems respectively. Further design flexibility is achieved using the robustness results of the optimization algorithms and the asymptotic state regulator by which existing nonlinear adaptive control techniques can be introduced for robust design. The approach used is easier to implement and tends to be more robust than those that use perturbation-based extremum-seeking control. The second part of the book deals with a variety of applications of extremum-seeking control: a comparative study of extremum-seeking control schemes in antilock braking system design; source seeking, formation control, collision and obstacle avoidance for groups of autonomous agents; mobile radar networks; and impedance matching. MATLAB®/Simulink® code which can be downloaded from www.springer.com/ISBN helps readers to reproduce the results presented in the text and gives them a head start for implementing the algorithms in their own applications. Extremum-seeking Control and Applications will interest academics and graduate students working in control, and industrial practitioners from a variety of backgrounds: systems, automotive, aerospace, communications, semiconductor and chemical engineering.




Intelligent Control and Applications for Robotics, Volume II


Book Description

Driven by sustaining demands from industrial automation, space applications and the lack of labor forces, robotics has received increasing attention from researchers in the field of automation and control. Optimizing control schemes is critical to fully exploit the potential of industrial and daily-use robots. Usually, accuracy and repeatability are measured to evaluate the performance of a robot, and deviation of the two parameters from normal status would inevitably leads to positional error and creates a problem for the process. Moreover, the repeatability of a robot is different in various parts of the working envelope, fluctuating with speed and payload. Due to the inherent complexity, an advanced learning methodology is crucial to the self-learning and fast adaptation to disturbances.




The Elements of Joint Learning and Optimization in Operations Management


Book Description

This book examines recent developments in Operations Management, and focuses on four major application areas: dynamic pricing, assortment optimization, supply chain and inventory management, and healthcare operations. Data-driven optimization in which real-time input of data is being used to simultaneously learn the (true) underlying model of a system and optimize its performance, is becoming increasingly important in the last few years, especially with the rise of Big Data.




Biological Control


Book Description

Biological Control: Global Impacts, Challenges and Future Directions of Pest Management provides a historical summary of organisms and main strategies used in biological control, as well as the key challenges confronting biological control in the 21st century. Biological control has been implemented for millennia, initially practised by growers moving beneficial species from one local area to another. Today, biological control has evolved into a formal science that provides ecosystem services to protect the environment and the resources used by humanity. With contributions from dedicated scientists and practitioners from around the world, this comprehensive book highlights important successes, failures and challenges in biological control efforts. It advocates that biological control must be viewed as a global endeavour and provides suggestions to move practices forward in a changing world. Biological Control is an invaluable resource for conservation specialists, pest management practitioners and those who research invasive species, as well as students studying pest management science.




Proceedings of Data Analytics and Management


Book Description

This book includes original unpublished contributions presented at the International Conference on Data Analytics and Management (ICDAM 2021), held at Jan Wyzykowski University, Poland, during June 2021. The book covers the topics in data analytics, data management, big data, computational intelligence, and communication networks. The book presents innovative work by leading academics, researchers, and experts from industry which is useful for young researchers and students.




Mathematical Optimization Theory and Operations Research: Recent Trends


Book Description

This book constitutes refereed proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Mathematical Optimization Theory and Operations Research, MOTOR 2021, held in Irkutsk, Russia, in July 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the conference was held online. The 31 full papers and 3 short papers presented in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from a total of 102 submissions. The papers in the volume are organised according to the following topical headings: continuous optimization; integer programming and combinatorial optimization; operational research applications; optimal control.




Handbook of Reinforcement Learning and Control


Book Description

This handbook presents state-of-the-art research in reinforcement learning, focusing on its applications in the control and game theory of dynamic systems and future directions for related research and technology. The contributions gathered in this book deal with challenges faced when using learning and adaptation methods to solve academic and industrial problems, such as optimization in dynamic environments with single and multiple agents, convergence and performance analysis, and online implementation. They explore means by which these difficulties can be solved, and cover a wide range of related topics including: deep learning; artificial intelligence; applications of game theory; mixed modality learning; and multi-agent reinforcement learning. Practicing engineers and scholars in the field of machine learning, game theory, and autonomous control will find the Handbook of Reinforcement Learning and Control to be thought-provoking, instructive and informative.




Intelligent Vehicles


Book Description

This book presents the results of the successful Sensors Special Issue on Intelligent Vehicles that received submissions between March 2019 and May 2020. The Guest Editors of this Special Issue are Dr. David Fernández-Llorca, Dr. Ignacio Parra-Alonso, Dr. Iván García-Daza and Dr. Noelia Parra-Alonso, all from the Computer Engineering Department at the University of Alcalá (Madrid, Spain). A total of 32 manuscripts were finally accepted between 2019 and 2020, presented by top researchers from all over the world. The reader will find a well-representative set of current research and developments related to sensors and sensing for intelligent vehicles. The topics of the published manuscripts can be grouped into seven main categories: (1) assistance systems and automatic vehicle operation, (2) vehicle positioning and localization, (3) fault diagnosis and fail-x systems, (4) perception and scene understanding, (5) smart regenerative braking systems for electric vehicles, (6) driver behavior modeling and (7) intelligent sensing. We, the Guest Editors, hope that the readers will find this book to contain interesting papers for their research, papers that they will enjoy reading as much as we have enjoyed organizing this Special Issue