Robust ROV path following considering disturbance and measurement error using data fusion

ROV accurate path following is challenging due to system unmodeled dynamics, disturbances and navigation sensors error. The model uncertainty and disturbances are commonly treated using robust methods such as the sliding mode controller where by incorporating an integral action in the zero tracking error is also guaranteed. Practically, the ROV position data is often computed using low cost inertial measurement unit (IMU) with outputs contaminated with bias and noise. Failure of mission is an immediate consequence of employing such biased sensors. However, the problem can be circumvented using the concept of redundant measurements and data fusion. In this respect, a set of 12 measurements from IMU, magnetometer and Doppler velocity log (DVL) are employed where the last two are aided sensors. The set up is shown to be capable of providing ROV path following with zero (in average) steady state tracking error irrespective of its dynamic parameters, environmental disturbances and erroneous data; as if it enjoys the exact values of the position of the ROV. It means that the combined DVL and magnetometer are sufficient for filtering the IMU biased measurements. Various simulations conducted confirm the results.     

基于ROV的近海底地形测量及其在马努斯盆地热液区的应用

针对重点的特殊深海研究区（如热液冷泉、洋中脊区域）,在船载多波束数据获得研究区大面积地形资料的基础上,有必要选取典型深海小靶区进行高分辨率地形测量为进一步深入研究提供保障。根据船载多波束实测数据选取PACMANUS热液区作为靶区,基于长基线定位,利用“发现”ROV搭载多波束系统进行近海底全覆盖地形测量。结果表明,依托于船动力定位系统及差分GPS,长基线为ROV提供了可靠的高精度定位,使得近海底测量的地形数据分辨率数倍优于船载多波束测得的地形数据的分辨率。高分辨率地形清晰的显示了PACMANUS热液区锥形丘体等特殊微地形,与已发现的热液点和火山区有很好的对应。进一步分析发现,该区域活动的热液区主要发育于坡度大于30°斜坡上的地形突变区,其成因仍需深入研究。利用ROV搭载多波束近底测量是获取深海小靶区高分辨率地形的可靠途径和方法,有利于提高深海海底研究的针对性,将促进我国深海科学研究的发展。     

Modeling, identification, and analysis of limit-cycling pitch and heave dynamics in an ROV

The topic of this paper is the modeling, parameter identification, and analysis of the heave and pitch dynamics in a remote operated vehicle (ROV). The work presented here is motivated by an unusual dynamic behavior experienced on the Gaymarine Pluto-Gigas ROV: if the depth is regulated using a proportional controller, the ROV exhibits permanent oscillations at high forward speed. The purpose of this paper is to gain insight into ROV dynamics, so as to explain the reason for the oscillations. To this end, a dynamic gray-box model is developed and its uncertain parameters are identified from real data. The analysis of such a model shows that the nonlinear dynamics of the ROV contains a limit cycle. This discovery explains the observed oscillatory behavior. An interesting aspect of this limit-cycling behavior is that it is not due (as usual) to saturation effects of the actuators, but is intrinsic in the ROV dynamics.     

Identification-based simplified model of large container ships using support vector machines and artificial bee colony algorithm

The 6 degrees of freedom (DOF) model with a high degree of complexity for capturing ship dynamics is generally able to track the nonlinear and coupling dynamics of ships. However, the 6 DOF model makes challenges in estimating model coefficients and designing the model-based control. Therefore, simplified ship dynamic models within allowed accuracy are essential. This paper simplified the 6 DOF nonlinear dynamic model of ships into two decoupled models including the speed model and the steering model through reasonable assumptions. Those models were tested through maneuvering simulations of a container ship with a 4 DOF dynamic model. Support vector machines (SVM) optimized by the artificial bee colony algorithm (ABC) was used to identify parameters of speed and steering models by analyzing the rudder angle, propeller shaft speed, surge and sway velocities, and yaw rate from simulated data extracted from a series of maneuvers made by the container ship. Comparisons with the first order linear and nonlinear Nomoto models show that the simplified nonlinear steering model can capture more complicated dynamics and performs better. Additionally, comparisons among three different parameter identification methods demonstrate similar identification results but the different performance involving the applicability and effectiveness. SVM optimized by ABC is relatively convenient and effective for parameter identification of ship simplified dynamic models.     

深海遥控潜水器多体系统非线性耦合动力特性模拟

建立带缆遥控潜水器(TROV)系统空间运动模型,探讨支持船-吊缆-中际站-脐带缆-潜水器多体之间的强非线性耦合运动机理。潜器的运动考虑为六自由度,缆索分段的三维动态方程中采用了"凝集参数"模型与平均切向量非线性流体动力载荷处理技术,通过计算非均匀缆索的动张力和瞬态构型,预报导致脐带缆保护层及其内部光电传输芯线结构破坏的巨大瞬间突变载荷,对避免谐振,延长缆索寿命和最大限度地扩大ROV系统安全操作的范围,确保潜水器安全入坞和回收,节约试验费,避免作业事故都具有重要意义。     

Optimized support vector regression algorithm-based modeling of ship dynamics

This study contributes to solving the problem of how to derive a simplistic model feasible for describing dynamics of different types of ships for maneuvering simulation employed to study maritime traffic and furthermore to provide ship models for simulation-based engineering test-beds. The problem is first addressed with the modification and simplification of a complicated and nonlinearly coupling vectorial representation in 6 degrees of freedom (DOF) to a 3 DOF model in a simple form for simultaneously capturing surge motions and steering motions based on several pieces of reasonable assumptions. The created simple dynamic model is aiming to be useful for different types of ships only with minor modifications on the experiment setup. Another issue concerning the proposed problem is the estimation of parameters in the model through a suitable technique, which is investigated by using the system identification in combination with full-scale ship trail tests, e.g., standard zigzag maneuvers. To improve the global optimization ability of support vector regression algorithm (SVR) based identification method, the artificial bee colony algorithm (ABC) presenting superior optimization performance with the advantage of few control parameters is used to optimize and assign the particular settings for structural parameters of SVR. Afterward, the simulation study on identifying a simplified dynamic model for a large container ship verifies the effectiveness of the optimized identification method at the same time inspires special considerations on further simplification of the initially simplified dynamic model. Finally, the further simplified dynamic model is validated through not only the simulation study on a container ship but also the experimental study on an unmanned surface vessel so-called I-Nav-II vessel. Either simulation study results or experimental study results demonstrate a valid model in a simple form for describing the dynamics of different types’ ships and also validate the performance of the proposed parameter estimation method.     

Design of a high performance variable structure position control ofROVs

An adaptive control scheme for dynamic positioning (DP) of remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV) is proposed based on a recently developed output feedback variable structure control (VSC) algorithm named VS-MRAC. Only position measurement is required. Precise modeling of the ROV is not needed and unmodeled perturbations can be effectively rejected. A simple method for discretizing the original continuous-time VS-MRAC is proposed based on dead-beat response. Other important practical implementation issues are considered. The performance is evaluated by simulation with a realistic ROV model and by full-scale experimental pool tests with an actual ROV     

Redundancy resolution for underwater mobile manipulators

A new fault-tolerant redundancy resolution scheme is presented that allows a single six degree of freedom (DOF) command to be distributed over a small remotely operated underwater vehicle–manipulator (ROVM) system. ROVM systems are composed of a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) and serial manipulator. The combined system is often kinematically redundant for the six-DOF end-effector command, and such a ROVM system admits an infinite number of joint-space solutions for a commanded end-effector state. In the current work, the primary objective is to follow the desired end-effector velocities commanded by a human pilot. The primary objective is realized using the right Moore–Penrose pseudoinverse solution that minimizes the two-norm of the collective joint velocities. Secondary objectives considered are: avoiding manipulator joint limits, avoiding singularities and high joint velocities, keeping the end-effector in sight of the on-board camera, minimizing the ROV motion, and minimizing the drag-forces on the ROV. Each criterion is defined within the framework of the gradient projection method (GPM). The hierarchy for the secondary tasks is established by a low-level artificial pilot that determines a weighting factor for each criterion based on if–then-type fuzzy rules that reflect an expert human pilot's knowledge. The resulting weight schedule yields a self-motion (null-space motion) that emulates how a skilled operator would utilize the redundancy of the ROVM to achieve the secondary objectives. In addition, the proposed method has a fault-tolerant property that enforces joint-velocity limits and also redistributes the end-effector velocity command in the case of faulty joints. To demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed scheme, a numerical simulation case study is performed. The results illustrate that complex spatial end-effector manoeuvres that are otherwise not possible with a stationary ROV can be accomplished in real-time via the coordination of the ROV and the manipulator. The on-line nature of the proposed scheme makes it suitable for remote systems where the desired end-effector state is not known a priori.     

Multivariable self-tuning autopilots for autonomous and remotelyoperated underwater vehicles

The effectiveness of subsea intervention has been found to be dependent upon the capability of an autonomous underwater vehicle's (AUV's) or remotely operated underwater vehicle's (ROV's) auto-positioning system. However, these vessel's dynamics vary considerably with operating condition, and are strongly coupled; they are expensive and difficult to derive, theoretically or through conventional testing, making the design of conventional autopilots difficult to achieve. Multi-input-multi-output self-tuning controllers offer a possible solution. Two such schemes are presented. The first is an implicit linear quadratic online, self-tuning controller, and the other uses a robust control law based on a first-order approximation of the open-loop dynamics and online recursive identification. The controllers' performance is evaluated by examining their behavior when controlling a comprehensive nonlinear simulation of an ROV and its navigation system. An interesting offshoot of this study is the application of recursive system identification techniques to the derivation of ROV models from data gathered from the trials; the potential advantages of this method are discussed     

基于长基线系统深海采矿ROV精确定位

对于深海采矿集矿机ROV的定位,采用传统的长基线水声定位系统通常存在较大误差。对此提出了一种新的算法模型,首先通过比较集矿机测量位置与前一次修正位置的几何关系,对当前集矿机的位置进行修正,然后利用新的集矿机位置修正声速的数值,并得出重新修正后的集矿机测量位置。这样反复的多重迭代使得在某一时刻集矿机ROV的测量位置逐步趋近其理想位置,实现长基线系统的水声精确的三维立体定位。通过数值仿真分析,结果显示与传统的长基线水声定位方法相比,通过该方法获得的集矿机行驶轨迹能更好地趋近其理想行驶曲线,表明该算法的有效性。     

CTD传感器在ROV系统中的扩展及其应用

CTD可以获取海洋物理学环境参数,为海洋物理学的研究提供重要的基础性数据,而ROV作为重要的海洋探测工具和科学研究平台已经在世界各国主要的海洋研究机构中得到广泛应用。根据"海狮号"ROV系统的体系结构特点,对其通讯、控制和电源等接口进行扩展,实现了CTD传感器在ROV上的应用,并在海洋区域地质调查的ROV测站作业时进行了CTD数据的采集,数据质量满足了海洋区域地质调查的要求。     

Application of particle filter combined with extended Kalman filter in model identification of an autonomous underwater vehicle based on experimental data

This study proposes a method for identification of the nonlinear dynamic model of an AUV while some states are unmeasured; hence, it concentrates on a nonlinear “state and parameter estimation” issue. In this method, a local linearization is used for solving the nonlinear dynamics based on the extended Kalman filter (EKF), and a particle filter (PF) is used to minimize errors and variances of the nonlinear system. In other words, the PF is combined with the EKF in the form of the extended Kalman particle filter (EKPF). The EKPF method is independent of the initial values and satisfies the limits of the parameters and also the assumption that the hydrodynamic coefficients are constant. Hence, it is shown when the ranges or signs of some parameters are known, the EKPF is a more accurate estimator than the EKF. Moreover, a new simulation is done using the model estimated by the EKPF and the results are compared and validated with the measured data of a new experimental test. It is shown that the obtained model can predict the trajectory path with the total normalized root-mean-square error (NRMSE) of 14% and the surge mean speed with the NRMSE of 5%; and it describes the 6DOF motion of the AUV more accurate than the EKF model.     

Toward an improved understanding of thruster dynamics forunderwater vehicles

This paper proposes a novel approach to modeling the four quadrant dynamic response of thrusters as used for the motion control of ROV and AUV underwater vehicles. The significance is that these vehicles are small in size and respond quickly to commands. Precision in motion control will require further understanding of thruster performance than is currently available. The model includes a four quadrant mapping of the propeller blades lift and drag forces and is coupled with motor and fluid system dynamics. A series of experiments is described for both long and short period triangular, as well as square wave inputs. The model is compared favorably with experimental data for a variety of differing conditions and predicts that force overshoots are observed under conditions of rapid command changes. Use of the model will improve the control of dynamic thrust on these vehicles     

Adaptive output feedback control based on DRFNN for AUV

The tracking control problem of AUV in six degrees-of-freedom (DOF) is addressed in this paper. In general, the velocities of the vehicles are very difficult to be accurately measured, which causes full state feedback scheme to be not feasible. Hence, an adaptive output feedback controller based on dynamic recurrent fuzzy neural network (DRFNN) is proposed, in which the location information is only needed for controller design. The DRFNN is used to online estimate the dynamic uncertain nonlinear mapping. Compared to the conventional neural network, DRFNN can clearly improve the tracking performance of AUV due to its less inputs and stronger memory features. The restricting condition for the estimation of the external disturbances and network's approximation errors, which is often given in the existing literatures, is broken in this paper. The stability analysis is given by Lyapunov theorem. Simulations illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.     

基于AIS信息校准的双频地波雷达的船只融合跟踪

高频地波雷达（HFSWR）和自动船只确认系统（AIS）是船只跟踪的重要传感器。高频地波雷达可以用来跟踪探测区域的所有船只,而AIS只能用来确认合作船只的信息。由于海杂波的干扰,使用单频率地波雷达的船只跟踪会淹没在布拉格峰值的盲区里,改变探测频率是克服这一缺点的有效手段。在这种背景下,我们提出一种基于AIS校准的双频雷达融合探测算法。因为不同频率的地波雷达测量与AIS的测量值存在系统误差,所以AIS信息可以用来估计和校准地波雷达的每个频率的系统误差。首先,将合作目标的点迹测量与地波雷达的点迹测量通过JVC分配算法进行点迹关联。从合作船只的点迹关联结果中,双频雷达的系统误差可以估计和校准。其次,基于校准的双频雷达数据,使用融合JPDA-UKF算法进行船只跟踪。通过真实探测的数据的实验结果显示所提算法可以实时跟踪船只,相比单频率跟踪可以进一步提高跟踪能力和跟踪精度。     

增强现实技术在水下定位测量中的应用

增强现实（AR）技术是应用领域非常广泛的新技术,涉及社会生活的多个领域,如医学、军事、交通、教育、娱乐、工业机械、景观规划、文物保护等,目前也已应用到水下工程中。本研究中AR技术首次成功应用到国内海洋工程水下定位测量作业中,以遥控水下机器人（ROV）为载体,搭载3D水下摄像机并配备相关水下传感器,通过专用AR软件将结构物三维模型、虚拟标识物、虚拟测量工具叠加到从水下传到水面的视频画面中,实现了水面操作人员与水下真实环境的实时交互,从而实时监测水下结构物的位置和姿态。将AR技术应用于水下定位测量,突破了传统的作业模式,具有高精度、高效率、低成本、无接触式和实时测量的优势特点,ROV不用紧贴结构物,软件操作便捷、测量数据精度可靠且实时显示,有效降低ROV的作业风险,提高作业时效。     

Research on hydrodynamics model test for deepsea open-framed remotely operated vehicle

This paper presents the features of newly designed hydrodynamics test for the scaled model of 4500 m deepsea open-framed remotely operated vehicle(ROV),which is being researched and developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University.Accurate hydrodynamics coefficients measurement and spatial modeling of ROV are significant for the maneuverability and control algorithm.The scaled model of ROV was constructed by 1:1.6.Hydrodynamics coefficients were measured through VPMM and LAHPMM towing test.And dynamics model was derived as a set of equations, describing nonlinear and coupled 5-DOF spatial motions.Rotation control motion was simulated to verify spatial model proposed.Research and application of hydrodynamics coefficients are expected to enable ROV to overcome uncertainty and disturbances of deepsea environment,and accomplish some more challengeable and practical missions.     

A Geometrically Exact Formulation for Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulation of the Umbilical Cable in A Deep-Sea ROV System

This paper proposes a geometrically exact formulation for three-dimensional static and dynamic analyses of the umbilical cable in a deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV) system. The presented formulation takes account of the geometric nonlinearities of large displacement, effects of axial load and bending stiffness for modeling of slack cables. The resulting nonlinear second-order governing equations are discretized spatially by the finite element method and solved temporally by the generalized- implicit time integration algorithm, which is adapted to the case of varying coefficient matrices. The ability to consider three-dimensional union action of ocean current and ship heave motion upon the umbilical cable is the key feature of this analysis. The presented formulation is firstly validated, and then three numerical examples for the umbilical cable in a deep-sea ROV system are demonstrated and discussed, including the steady configurations only under the action of depth-dependent ocean current, the dynamic responses in the case of the only ship heave motion, and in the case of the combined action of the ship heave motion and ocean current.     

A Geometrically Exact Formulation for Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulation of the Umbilical Cable in A Deep-Sea ROV System

This paper proposes a geometrically exact formulation for three-dimensional static and dynamic analyses of the umbilical cable in a deep-sea remotely operated vehicle(ROV) system. The presented formulation takes account of the geometric nonlinearities of large displacement, effects of axial load and bending stiffness for modeling of slack cables. The resulting nonlinear second-order governing equations are discretized spatially by the finite element method and solved temporally by the generalized-a implicit time integration algorithm, which is adapted to the case of varying coefficient matrices. The ability to consider three-dimensional union action of ocean current and ship heave motion upon the umbilical cable is the key feature of this analysis. The presented formulation is firstly validated, and then three numerical examples for the umbilical cable in a deep-sea ROV system are demonstrated and discussed, including the steady configurations only under the action of depth-dependent ocean current, the dynamic responses in the case of the only ship heave motion, and in the case of the combined action of the ship heave motion and ocean current.     

堤坝检测水下机器人模糊自适应控制方法研究

GDROV是用于堤坝探测的水下机器人,设计上属于开架式机器人,其精确的数学模型很难获得.采用基于模糊逻辑的直接自适应控制方法,利用模糊基函数网络逼近理想控制输出,通过模糊逻辑动态调整控制器的参数自适应律,可有效解决水下机器人控制问题.建立GDROV的水动力模型,给出基于模糊逻辑的直接自适应控制算法,最后通过仿真试验和外场试验验证了该控制器对模型的不确定性具有较强的鲁棒性,且具有良好的跟踪性能.