A negative imaginary robust formation control scheme for networked multi-tilt tricopters utilizing an inner-loop sliding-mode control technique ?

This paper proposes a robust formation control scheme for networked multi-tilt tricopter UAVs utilizing the Negative Imaginary (NI) and Positive Real (PR) theory. A Sliding Mode Control (SMC) scheme is designed for a multi-tilt tricopter to ensure stable hovering at a desired height. Then, a modified Subspace-based system identification algorithm is devised to identify a six-by-six NI model of the inner-loop-SMC-controlled tricopter in the continuous-time domain by exploiting the Laguerre filter. A two-loop formation control scheme has been developed for networked multi-tilt tricopters where the inner loop of each tricopter applies the SMC scheme, and the outer loop implements a distributed output feedback controller that satisfies the ‘mixed’ Strictly NI (SNI) + Strictly PR (SPR) system properties. Subsequently, we have established the robustness of the proposed scheme against NI/PR-type uncertainties and sudden loss of agents. The eigenvalue loci (also known as characteristic loci) technique is used instead of the Lyapunov-based approach to prove the asymptotic stability of the formation control scheme. An in-depth simulation case study was performed on a group of six inner-loop-SMC-controlled multi-tilt tricopters connected via a network to achieve a formation control mission, even in the presence of uncertainties.