Composite Perturbation-Rejection Trajectory-Tracking Control for a Quadrotor–Slung Load System

Tracking control of a quadrotor–slung load system is extremely challenging due to its under-actuation property, couple effects, and various uncertainties. This work proposes a composite backstepping control framework combining command filter control and a multivariable finite-time disturbance observ...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jiao Xu, Defu Lin, Jianchuan Ye, Tao Jiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Actuators
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/14/7/335
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849304312142888960
author Jiao Xu
Defu Lin
Jianchuan Ye
Tao Jiang
author_facet Jiao Xu
Defu Lin
Jianchuan Ye
Tao Jiang
author_sort Jiao Xu
collection DOAJ
description Tracking control of a quadrotor–slung load system is extremely challenging due to its under-actuation property, couple effects, and various uncertainties. This work proposes a composite backstepping control framework combining command filter control and a multivariable finite-time disturbance observer to ensure robust position and orientation control for aerial payload transportation with high precision. Firstly, the kinematic and dynamic model under perturbations is derived based on Newton’s second law. The thrust control force consists of two orthogonal parts, each dedicated to regulating the position and orientation of the slung load independently. Then, hierarchical backstepping control generates the two parts in the load-translation and the load-orientation subsystems. Command filters are introduced into nonlinear backstepping to smoothen the control signals and overcome the problem of explosion of complexity. Additionally, to counteract the adverse effect of perturbations emerging in the linear velocity and angular velocity loops, multivariable finite-time observers are developed to ensure the estimation errors converge within a finite time horizon. Finally, comparative numerical simulation results validate the efficacy of the developed quadrotor–slung load tracking controller. Simulation results show that the proposed controller achieves smaller position tracking and orientation errors compared to traditional methods, demonstrating robust disturbance rejection and high-precision control.
format Article
id doaj-art-2fa24f8f7bc3440cb8f234b0b052c5ee
institution Kabale University
issn 2076-0825
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Actuators
spelling doaj-art-2fa24f8f7bc3440cb8f234b0b052c5ee2025-08-20T03:55:48ZengMDPI AGActuators2076-08252025-07-0114733510.3390/act14070335Composite Perturbation-Rejection Trajectory-Tracking Control for a Quadrotor–Slung Load SystemJiao Xu0Defu Lin1Jianchuan Ye2Tao Jiang3School of Aerospace Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, ChinaSchool of Aerospace Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, ChinaSchool of Aerospace Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, ChinaSchool of Automation, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, ChinaTracking control of a quadrotor–slung load system is extremely challenging due to its under-actuation property, couple effects, and various uncertainties. This work proposes a composite backstepping control framework combining command filter control and a multivariable finite-time disturbance observer to ensure robust position and orientation control for aerial payload transportation with high precision. Firstly, the kinematic and dynamic model under perturbations is derived based on Newton’s second law. The thrust control force consists of two orthogonal parts, each dedicated to regulating the position and orientation of the slung load independently. Then, hierarchical backstepping control generates the two parts in the load-translation and the load-orientation subsystems. Command filters are introduced into nonlinear backstepping to smoothen the control signals and overcome the problem of explosion of complexity. Additionally, to counteract the adverse effect of perturbations emerging in the linear velocity and angular velocity loops, multivariable finite-time observers are developed to ensure the estimation errors converge within a finite time horizon. Finally, comparative numerical simulation results validate the efficacy of the developed quadrotor–slung load tracking controller. Simulation results show that the proposed controller achieves smaller position tracking and orientation errors compared to traditional methods, demonstrating robust disturbance rejection and high-precision control.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/14/7/335quadrotor–slung load systemtrajectory trackingfinite-time perturbation rejectioncommand filter-based backstepping
spellingShingle Jiao Xu
Defu Lin
Jianchuan Ye
Tao Jiang
Composite Perturbation-Rejection Trajectory-Tracking Control for a Quadrotor–Slung Load System
Actuators
quadrotor–slung load system
trajectory tracking
finite-time perturbation rejection
command filter-based backstepping
title Composite Perturbation-Rejection Trajectory-Tracking Control for a Quadrotor–Slung Load System
title_full Composite Perturbation-Rejection Trajectory-Tracking Control for a Quadrotor–Slung Load System
title_fullStr Composite Perturbation-Rejection Trajectory-Tracking Control for a Quadrotor–Slung Load System
title_full_unstemmed Composite Perturbation-Rejection Trajectory-Tracking Control for a Quadrotor–Slung Load System
title_short Composite Perturbation-Rejection Trajectory-Tracking Control for a Quadrotor–Slung Load System
title_sort composite perturbation rejection trajectory tracking control for a quadrotor slung load system
topic quadrotor–slung load system
trajectory tracking
finite-time perturbation rejection
command filter-based backstepping
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/14/7/335
work_keys_str_mv AT jiaoxu compositeperturbationrejectiontrajectorytrackingcontrolforaquadrotorslungloadsystem
AT defulin compositeperturbationrejectiontrajectorytrackingcontrolforaquadrotorslungloadsystem
AT jianchuanye compositeperturbationrejectiontrajectorytrackingcontrolforaquadrotorslungloadsystem
AT taojiang compositeperturbationrejectiontrajectorytrackingcontrolforaquadrotorslungloadsystem