Improved FPTPPF-based predefined-time tracking control of a UVMS with actuator faults

In this paper, a new predefined-time control scheme is proposed for the trajectory tracking problem of an underwater vehicle-mechanic system (UVMS) with external disturbances, model uncertainties and actuator faults. First, a predefined-time controller is proposed to achieve convergence in a predefined time so that the convergence time does not depend on the initial value of the system. Second, considering the possible grasping and transportation tasks for the UVMS, an improved flexible predefined-time prescribed performance function (FPTPPF) with self-adjustment capability is proposed to avoid the vulnerabilities of the existing prescribed performance functions. A control framework is constructed for the integral barrier Lyapunov function and FPTPPF, which can achieve good tracking performance. Third, a predefined-time extended state observer (ESO) is constructed to address the problems caused by external disturbances, model uncertainties and actuator faults. For strong sudden disturbances, the H infinity control strategy is designed via the backstepping method, which effectively improves the robustness. Finally, the predefined-time stability of the system is proven via Lyapunov stability theory, where the tracking errors can converge to a small region of the null domain in a predefined time. The performance and superiority of the proposed predefined-time control method are verified via simulation comparisons.