Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
11:54
Real-Time Proxy-Control of Re-Parameterized Peripheral Signals using a Close-Loop Interface
Published on: May 8, 2021
Intermittent control of coexisting attractors
Yang Liu1, Marian Wiercigroch, James Ing
1Centre for Applied Dynamics Research, School of Engineering, King's College, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
Summary
This study introduces intermittent control for dynamical systems with multiple attractors. By using knowledge of basins of attraction, the method switches system responses between attractors with impulsive forces.
Area of Science:
- Nonlinear Dynamics
- Control Theory
- Dynamical Systems
Background:
- Dynamical systems can exhibit multiple coexisting attractors, leading to complex behaviors.
- Controlling transitions between these attractors is a significant challenge in nonlinear dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel intermittent control method for switching between coexisting attractors in non-autonomous dynamical systems.
- To investigate the influence of control force magnitude and duration on the effectiveness of attractor switching.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing knowledge of basins of attraction to guide control actions.
- Applying intermittent impulsive forces when system trajectories approach a proximity constraint.
- Developing a constrained intermittent control law to analyze limited control force effects.
Main Results:
- Successfully demonstrated attractor switching in both smooth (Duffing oscillator) and non-smooth (impact oscillator) systems.
- Showed that increased control duration and/or actuation frequency enable switching with lower control force.
- Validated the proposed method through numerical simulations and experimental results.
Conclusions:
- The proposed intermittent control strategy is effective for managing transitions between coexisting attractors.
- The method offers a viable approach for controlling complex dynamical systems with limited control resources.
- This work provides valuable insights for the design of controllers in systems with multiple stable states.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Control Systems
Control systems are everywhere in contemporary society, influencing diverse applications from aerospace to automated manufacturing. These systems can be found naturally within biological processes, such as blood sugar regulation and heart rate adjustment in response to stress, as well as in man-made systems like elevators and automated vehicles. A control system is essentially a network of subsystems and processes that collaboratively convert specific inputs into desired outputs.
At the heart...
At the heart...
01:26Feedback control systems
Feedback control systems are categorized in various ways based on their design, analysis, and signal types.
Linear feedback systems are theoretical models that simplify analysis and design. These systems operate under the principle that their output is directly proportional to their input within certain ranges. For instance, an amplifier in a control system behaves linearly as long as the input signal remains within a specific range. However, most physical systems exhibit inherent nonlinearity...
Linear feedback systems are theoretical models that simplify analysis and design. These systems operate under the principle that their output is directly proportional to their input within certain ranges. For instance, an amplifier in a control system behaves linearly as long as the input signal remains within a specific range. However, most physical systems exhibit inherent nonlinearity...
01:22Controller Configurations
Controller configurations are crucial in a car's cruise control system because they manage speed over time to maintain a consistent pace regardless of road conditions, thereby meeting design goals. In traditional control systems, fixed-configuration design involves predetermined controller placement. System performance modifications are known as compensation.
Control-system compensation involves various configurations, most commonly series or cascade compensation, in which the controller aligns...
Control-system compensation involves various configurations, most commonly series or cascade compensation, in which the controller aligns...
01:17Open and closed-loop control systems
Control systems are foundational elements in automation and engineering. They are broadly categorized into open-loop and closed-loop systems. These classifications hinge on the presence or absence of feedback mechanisms, significantly influencing the system's performance, complexity, and application.
An open-loop control system operates without feedback from the output. It consists of two primary elements: the controller and the controlled process. The controller receives an input signal and...
An open-loop control system operates without feedback from the output. It consists of two primary elements: the controller and the controlled process. The controller receives an input signal and...
01:28Load-frequency control
Load-frequency control (LFC) is vital for maintaining power system stability, ensuring that frequency and power flows remain within acceptable limits during load changes. Turbine-governor control eliminates rotor accelerations and decelerations following load changes. However, a steady-state frequency error persists when the change in the turbine-governor reference setting is zero. In an interconnected power system, each area agrees to export or import a scheduled amount of power through...
01:21Control System Problem
In an open-loop system, such as a basic thermostat, the poles of the transfer function influence the system's response but do not determine its stability. However, when feedback is introduced to form a closed-loop system, such as an advanced thermostat that adjusts heating based on room temperature, stability is governed by the new poles of the closed-loop transfer function.
When forming a closed-loop system, issues can arise if the poles cross into the unstable region, leading to potential...
When forming a closed-loop system, issues can arise if the poles cross into the unstable region, leading to potential...