Optimal Yaw Regulation and Trajectory Control of Biorobotic AUV Using Mechanical Fins Based on CFD Parametrization

This paper treats the question of control of a biorobotic autonomous undersea vehicle (BAUV) in the yaw plane using a biomimetic mechanism resembling the pectoral fins of fish. These fins are assumed to undergo a combined sway-yaw motion and the bias angle is treated as a control input, which is varied in time to accomplish the maneuver in the yaw-plane. The forces and moments produced by the flapping foil are parametrized using computational fluid dynamics. A finite-difference-based, Cartesian grid immersed boundary solver is used to simulate flow past the flapping foils. The periodic forces and moments are expanded as a Fourier series and a discrete-time model of the BAUV is developed for the purpose of control. An optimal control system for the set point control of the yaw angle and an inverse control law for the tracking of time-varying yaw angle trajectories are designed. Simulation results show that in the closed-loop system, the yaw angle follows commanded sinusoidal trajectories and the segments of the intersample yaw trajectory remain close to the discrete-time reference trajectory. It is also found that the fins suitably located near the center of mass of the vehicle provide better maneuverability.