An anti-slip predictive controller for a V-PRA vehicle

In this paper an anti-slip predictive controller is designed and implemented in order to control the rear wheels of a V-PRA (Variable Powered Rear Axle) vehicle. The control algorithm is EPSAC, a Model based Predictive Control (MPC) strategy. It uses explicitly a model of the system for the prediction of the future system output, in order to calculate the optimal control input which will bring the system to a required setpoint. The main goals of this predictive controller were setpoint trajectory following, disturbance rejection and maintain overall the stability of the V-PRA vehicle. Although the process is nonlinear, being influenced by several parameters, linear discrete-time ARX models could be obtained based on system linearization around an operating point. An initial SISO controller was developed and tested, based on a Simulink model of the process. The control performances were tested successfully in presence of all kind of disturbances, denoting a robust controller.