Multiple Model Control for Teleoperation Under Time Delay MULTIPLE MODEL CONTROL FOR TELEOPERATION UNDER TIME DELAY

Performance and stability of bilateral teleoperation control systems are adversely affected by variations in environment dynamics and time delay in communication channel. Prior relevant research in the literature has mainly yielded control algorithms that sacrifice performance in order to guarantee robust stability. In contrast, this thesis proposes methods to deal with these two main problems in order to maintain the stability without compromising performance. To handle changes in environment dynamics, a multiple model controller for teleoperation is introduced. It is assumed that the dynamics of the environment are governed by a model from a finite set of environment models at any given time with Markov chain switching between these models. The first-order generalized pseudo-Bayesian (GPB1) multi-model estimation technique is used to identify the effective model at each time step given the sensory observations. The control action is a weighted sum of mode-based control laws that are designed for each mode of operation. The second major problem in teleoperation systems that this thesis deals with is communication channel time delay. The constant time-delay problem is solved using two different methods, i.e. discrete-time and continuous-time predictive type Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) controllers. The treatment of the problem in iv the discrete-time domain allows for the development of a finite dimension statespace model that explicitly encompasses the time delay. The robustness of the controller with respect to uncertainty in the system parameters is examined via Nyquist analysis. In continuous-time, a modified state transformation is proposed to obtain delay-free dynamics based on the original dynamics with delayed inputs and outputs. The application of the continuous-time LQG control synthesis to these reduced dynamics yields a control law that guarantees closed-loop stability and performance. Mode-based controllers are designed for each phase of operation, i.e. free motion/soft contact and contact with rigid environments. Performance objectives such as position tracking and tool impedance shaping for free motion/soft contact, as well as position and force tracking for contact with rigid environments are incorporated into the LQG control design framework. Simulation and experimental results are presented for each of the proposed controllers in various scenarios. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods in providing a stable transparent interface for teleoperation in free motion and in contact with rigid environments.