Differential flatness theory-based control and filtering for a mobile manipulator
Gerasimos Rigatos
The article proposes a differential flatness theory based control and filtering method for the model of a mobile manipulator. This is a difficult control and robotics problem due to the system’s strong nonlinearities and due to its underactuation. Using the Euler-Lagrange approach, the dynamic model of the mobile manipulator is obtained. This is proven to be a differentially flat one, thus confirming that it can be transformed into an input-output linearized form. Through a change of state and control inputs variables the dynamic model of the manipulator is finally written into the linear canonical (Brunovsky) form. For the latter representation of the system’s dynamics the solution of both the control and filtering problems becomes possible. The global
asymptotic stability properties of the control loop are proven. Moreover, a differential flatness theory-based state estimator, under the name of Derivative-free nonlinear Kalman Filter, is developed. This comprises (i) the standard Kalman Filter recursion on the linearized equivalent model of the mobile manipulator and (ii) an inverse transformation, relying on the differential flatness properties of the system which allows for estimating the state variables of the initial nonlinear model. Finally, by redesigning
the aforementioned Kalman Filter as a disturbance observer one can achieve estimation and compensation of the disturbance inputs that affect the model of the mobile manipulator.
CYBERNETICS AND PHYSICS, Vol.9, No.1, 2020, 57-68, https://doi.org/10.35470/2226-4116-2020-9-1-57-68