Multi-objective control synthesis: an application to 4WS passenger vehicles

The vehicle dynamics and control play an important role in an automated highway system for passenger cars. This study addresses the problem of designing active controllers for four-wheel-steering (4WS) vehicles. We first obtain a set of linear maneuvering equations representing the four-wheel steering motions and independent wheel torques for lateral/directional plus roll dynamics. We then formulate simultaneous H-2 and H-infinity (sub)-optimal controls with a desired pole assignment via linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). The steering angles are actively controlled by steering wheel commands through the actuator mechanisms for the lateral/directional and roll motions. Further the wheel power and braking are directly controlled by independent torques. Numerical simulations are performed on a complex vehicle model in order to evaluate the vehicle performance (noise and disturbance attenuation), stability, and robustness under a given class of uncertainty. Finally, the presented autopilot controller provides greater maneuverability and improved directional stability for passenger vehicles. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.