Robust optimal predictive control of heavy haul train under imperfect communication

With the rapid developments in communication technology, the bidirectional wireless communication channel is widely used to exchange information between the train and wayside control center. As an emerging technology, the communication based heavy haul train control (CBHHTC) system is becoming a better alternative for administrative department to provide the greater transport capacity. In order to put the latest automatic control methods into the practice, this paper investigates the robust optimal control problem of heavy haul train under CBHHTC. By formulating the CBHHTC based real-time control procedure as a networked control system (NCS) model, the possible data loss phenomenon in the wireless communications is considered, and its impact on the stability and performances of the controller design is elaborated. On the basis of Lyapunov stability theory and model predictive control (MPC) approach, a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) is given as sufficient conditions to ensure the velocity tracking ability, energy-efficiency and operational safety with a prescribed H_∞ disturbance attenuation level under the control constraints. Case studies are conducted to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller.