Prediction and filtering of continuous-time stochastic processes often require a solver of a continuous-time differential Lyapunov equation (CDLE), for example the time update in the Kalman filter. Even though this can be recast into an ordinary differential equation (ODE), where standard solvers can be applied, the dominating approach in Kalman filter applications is to discretize the system and then apply the discrete-time difference Lyapunov equation (DDLE). To avoid problems with stability and poor accuracy, oversampling is often used. This contribution analyzes over-sampling strategies, and proposes a novel low-complexity analytical solution that does not involve oversampling. The results are illustrated on Kalman filtering problems in both linear and nonlinear systems.

The norm-optimal iterative learning control (ilc) algorithm for linear systems is extended to an estimation-based norm-optimal ilc  algorithm where the controlled variables are not directly available as measurements. A separation lemma is presented, stating that if a stationary Kalman filter is used for linear time-invariant systems then the ilc  design is independent of the dynamics in the Kalman filter. Furthermore, the objective function in the optimisation problem is modified to incorporate the full probability density function of the error. Utilising the Kullback–Leibler divergence leads to an automatic and intuitive way of tuning the ilc  algorithm. Finally, the concept is extended to non-linear state space models using linearisation techniques, where it is assumed that the full state vector is estimated and used in the ilc  algorithm. Stability and convergence properties for the proposed scheme are also derived.

Stochastic dynamical systems are fundamental in state estimation, systemidentification and control. System models are often provided incontinuous time, while a major part of the applied theory is developedfor discrete-time systems. Discretization of continuous-time models ishence fundamental. We present a novel algorithm using a  combination of Lyapunov equations and analytical solutions, enabling  efficient implementation in software. The proposed method  circumvents numerical problems exhibited by standard algorithms in  the literature. Both theoretical and simulation results are  provided.

An H_∞ synthesis method for control of a flexible joint, with non-linear spring characteristic, is proposed. The first step of the synthesis method is to extend the joint model with an uncertainty description of the stiffness parameter. In the second step, a non-linear optimisation problem, based on nominal performance and robust stability requirements, has to be solved. Using the Lyapunov shaping paradigm and a change of variables, the non-linear optimisation problem can be rewritten as a convex, yet conservative, LMI problem. The method is motivated by the assumption that the joint operates in a specific stiffness region of the non-linear spring most of the time, hence the performance requirements are only valid in that region. However, the controller must stabilise the system in all stiffness regions. The method is validated in simulations on a non-linear flexible joint model originating from an industrial robot.

An estimation-based iterative learning control (ILC) algorithm is applied to a realistic industrial manipulator model. By measuring the acceleration of the end-effector, the arm angular position accuracy is improved when the measurements are fused with motor angle observations. The estimation problem is formulated in a Bayesian estimation framework where three solutions are proposed: one using the extended Kalman filter (EKF), one using the unscented  Kalman filter (UKF), and one using the particle filter (PF).  The estimates are used in an ILC method to improve the accuracy for following a given reference trajectory.  Since the ILC algorithm is repetitive no computational restrictions on the methods apply explicitly. In an extensive Monte Carlo simulation study it is shown that the PF method outperforms the other methods and that the ILC control law is substantially improved using the PF estimate.

A sensor fusion method for state estimation of a flexible industrial robot is presented. By measuring the acceleration at the end-effector, the accuracy of the arm angular position is improved significantly when these measurements are fused with motor angle observation. The problem is formulated in a Bayesian estimation framework and two solutions are proposed; one using the extended Kalman filter (EKF) and one using the particle filter (PF). The technique is verified on experiments on the ABB IRB4600 robot, where the accelerometer method is showing a significant better dynamic performance, even when model errors are present.

Experimental evaluations for path estimation are performed on an ABB IRB4600 robot. Different observers using Bayesian techniques with different estimation models are proposed. The estimated paths are compared to the true path measured by a laser tracking system. There is no significant difference in performance between the six observers. Instead, execution time, model complexities and implementation issues have to be considered when choosing the method.

This paper summarizes previous work on tool position estimation on industrial manipulators, and emphasize the problems that must be taken care of in order to get a satisfied result. The acceleration of the robot tool, measured by an accelerometer, together with measurements of motor angles are used. The states are estimated with an extended Kalman filter. A method for tuning the covariance matrices for the noise, used in the observer, is suggested. The work has been focused on a robot with two degrees of freedom.

One of the main tasks for an industrial robot is to move the end-effector in a predefined path with a specified velocity and acceleration. Different applications have different requirements of the performance. For some applications it is essential that the tracking error is extremely small, whereas other applications require a time optimal tracking. Independent of the application, the controller is a crucial part of the robot system. The most common controller configuration uses only measurements of the motor angular positions and velocities, instead of the position and velocity of the end-effector. The development of new cost optimised robots has introduced unwanted flexibilities in the joints and the links. The consequence is that it is no longer possible to get the desired performance and robustness by only measuring the motor angular positions. 

This thesis investigates if it is possible to estimate the end-effector position using Bayesian estimation methods for state estimation, here represented by the extended Kalman filter and the particle filter. The arm-side information is provided by an accelerometer mounted at the end-effector. The measurements consist of the motor angular positions and the acceleration of the end-effector. In a simulation study on a realistic flexible industrial robot, the angular position performance is shown to be close to the fundamental Cramér-Rao lower bound. The methods are also verified in experiments on an ABB IRB4600 robot, where the dynamic performance of the position for the end-effector is significantly improved. There is no significant difference in performance between the different methods. Instead, execution time, model complexities and implementation issues have to be considered when choosing the method. The estimation performance depends strongly on the tuning of the filters and the accuracy of the models that are used. Therefore, a method for estimating the process noise covariance matrix is proposed. Moreover, sampling methods are analysed and a low-complexity analytical solution for the continuous-time update in the Kalman filter, that does not involve oversampling, is proposed. 

The thesis also investigates two types of control problems. First, the norm-optimal iterative learning control (ILC) algorithm for linear systems is extended to an estimation-based norm-optimal ILC algorithm where the controlled variables are not directly available as measurements. The algorithm can also be applied to non-linear systems. The objective function in the optimisation problem is modified to incorporate not only the mean value of the estimated variable, but also information about the uncertainty of the estimate. Second, H_∞ controllers are designed and analysed on a linear four-mass flexible joint model. It is shown that the control performance can be increased, without adding new measurements, compared to previous controllers. Measuring the end-effector acceleration increases the control performance even more. A non-linear model has to be used to describe the behaviour of a real flexible joint. An H_∞-synthesis method for control of a flexible joint, with non-linear spring characteristic, is therefore proposed.

The iterative learning control (ILC) method improvesperformance of systems that repeat the same task several times. In this paper the standard norm-optimal ILC control law for linear systems is extended to an estimation-based ILC algorithm where the controlled variables are not directly available as measurements. The proposed ILC algorithm is proven to be stable and gives monotonic convergence of the error. The estimation-based part of the algorithm uses Bayesian estimation techniques such as the Kalman filter. The objective function in the optimisation problem is modified to incorporate not only the mean value of the estimated variable, but also information about the uncertainty of the estimate. It is further shown that for linear time-invariant systems the ILC design is independent of the estimation method. Finally, the concept is extended to non-linear state space models using linearisation techniques, where it is assumed that the full state vector is estimated and used in the ILC algorithm. It is also discussed how the Kullback-Leibler divergence can be used if linearisation cannot be performed. Finally, the proposed solution for non-linear systems is applied and verified in a simulation study with a simplified model of an industrial manipulator system.

An H_∞ synthesis method for control of a flexible joint, with non-linear spring characteristic, is proposed. The first step of the synthesis method is to extend the joint model with an uncertainty description of the stiffness parameter. In the second step, a non-linear optimisation problem, based on nominal performance and robust stability requirements, has to be solved. Using the Lyapunov shaping paradigm and a change of variables, the non-linear optimisation problem can be rewritten as a convex, yet conservative, LMI problem. The method is motivated by the assumption that the joint operates in a specific stiffness region of the non-linear spring most of the time, hence the performance requirements are only valid in that region. However, the controller must stabilise the system in all stiffness regions. The method is validated in simulations on a non-linear flexible joint model originating from an industrial robot.

Prediction and filtering of continuous-time stochastic processes  require a solver of a continuous-time differential Lyapunov equation (CDLE).   Even though this can be recast into an ordinary differential equation (ODE),  where standard solvers can be applied, the dominating approach in  Kalman filter applications is to discretize the system and then  apply the discrete-time difference Lyapunov equation (DDLE). To avoid problems with  stability and poor accuracy, oversampling is often used. This  contribution analyzes over-sampling strategies, and proposes a  low-complexity analytical solution that does not involve  oversampling. The results are illustrated on Kalman filtering  problems in both linear and nonlinear systems.

This project was a part of the course Applied Control and Sensor Fusion (http://www.control.isy.liu.se/student/graduate/AppliedControl/index.html) during summer and fall 2010. The goal of the course was to be a practical study of implementation issues, not always encountered in the life of a PhD student.

A segway was constructed using a LEGO Mindstorms NXT kit and a gyro, and the goal was to construct a self balancing segway. To do this the motor angles and the gyro measurements were available, and a working Simulink program. The main focus in this project has been to construct an observer.

The segway can be used for demos in basic control courses, and a manual can be found at the end of the report

A sensor fusion method for state estimation of a flexible industrial robot is developed. By measuring the acceleration at the end-effector, the accuracy of the arm angular position, as well as the estimated position of the end-effector are improved. The problem is formulated in a Bayesian estimation framework and two solutions are proposed; the extended Kalman filter and the particle filter. In a simulation study on a realistic flexible industrial robot, the angular position performance is shown to be close to the fundamental Cramér-Rao lower bound. The technique is also verified in experiments on an ABB robot, where the dynamic performance of the position for the end-effector is significantly improved.

A sensor fusion method for state estimation of a flexible industrial robot is presented. By measuring the acceleration at the end-effector, the accuracy of the arm angular position is improved significantly when these measurements are fused with motor angle observation. The problem is formulated in a Bayesian estimation framework and two solutions are proposed; one using the extended Kalman filter (EKF) and one using the particle filter (PF). The technique is verified on experiments on the ABB IRB4600 robot, where the accelerometer method is showing a significant better dynamic performance, even when model errors are present.

A simulation model for a two degrees of freedom industrial manipulator where an accelerometer is attached to the robot arm is presented. An overview of the kinematic and dynamic models as well as a thorough description of the accelerometer model are given. The simulation model can be run with different types of properties, \eg model errors and disturbances. Different types of suggested simulation setups are also presented in the paper.

This paper considers the problem of wear estimation in a standard industrial robot joint. The effects of wear to the static friction of a robot joint are analyzed from experiments. An extended static friction model is proposed that explains changes related to joint speed, load, temperature and wear. Based on this model and static friction observations, a model-based wear estimator is proposed. The performance of the estimator under temperature uncertainties is found both by means of simulations and experiments in an industrial robot. Special attention is given to the analyses of the best speed region for wear estimation. As it is shown, the method can distinguish the effects of wear even under large temperature variations, opening up for the use of robust joint diagnosis for industrial robots.

The main task for an industrial robot is to move the tool into specific positions. It is therefore necessary to have an accurate knowledge about the tool position. This report desrcibes a simulation study where an accelerometer attached to the robot tool is used. The acceleration and measured motor angles are used with an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) to estimate the tool position. The work has been focused on a robot with two degrees of freedom. Simulations have been performed with different kind of errors and on different paths. The EKF uses covariance matrices of the process noise and measurement noise which are unknown. An optimization problem has therefore been proposed and solved to get covariance matrices that give good estimations.