Practical Fixed-Time Robust Containment Control of Multi-ASVs with Collision Avoidance

A practical fixed-time robust containment control method for multiple autonomous surface vehicles (multi-ASVs) is proposed in this study. This method addresses the containment control problem of multi-ASVs, considering both collision risks and external disturbances. This control scheme improves the cooperative performance of the formation and guarantees safe collision avoidance behavior. First, to enable the online estimation of unknown time-varying disturbances from the external environment, a fixed-time disturbance observer (FNDO) is designed based on fixed-time control theory. Second, the distributed kinematic controller is modified to include the partial derivatives of the artificial potential energy function (APEF), thereby preventing collisions among multi-ASVs. Third, by applying fixed-time theory, graph theory, and fixed-time dynamic surface control techniques, a practical fixed-time robust containment controller for multi-ASVs is proposed. Additionally, the entire closed-loop control system is guaranteed to be practical and fixed-time stable through stability analysis. Finally, the proposed control strategy has been validated by simulation results.