Robust integral of sign of error-based distributed flocking control of double-integrator multi-agent systems with a varying virtual leader

This article investigates the flocking control problem of double-integrator multi-agent systems with a virtual leader subject to unknown external disturbances. A robust integral of sign of error (RISE) based control method is leveraged to design a distributed flocking controller with advantages of zero initial input value and continuous control input. By means of a new second-order differential virtual potential field function, and the navigational feedback from a virtual leader, the proposed flocking controller assures agents of velocity consensus with the virtual leader and a quasi alpha-lattice formation within a circular neighborhood centered on the virtual leader. Moreover, this algorithm guarantees collision avoidance and connectivity preservation of a proximity-induced communication topology. Numerical simulations of the algorithm are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed flocking algorithm.