Abstract
This paper describes the design and implementation of a novel adaptive control method to track a set of bioinspired reference trajectories. These references define anthropomorphic movements for an exoskeleton robot. The proposed controller implemented the adjustment laws for the variable gains of a state feedback (Proportional-Derivative type) structure. The method to adjust the adaptive gains was determined using a controlled Lyapunov function. The adaptation laws use velocity estimation based on a robust exact differentiator (RED) implemented as a variation of a distributed Super-Twisting algorithm. The adaptive gain controller was evaluated on a simulated exoskeleton structure. The set of simulations considered the presence of external disturbances and modeling uncertainties. The controller proved efficient in rejecting external perturbations/uncertainties affecting the exoskeleton. The proposed controller’s performance was superior to the one obtained if the standard fixed-gain proportional derivative controller was evaluated. As an additional benefit of the adaptive PD controller implementation, a controller power reduction of at least 14
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