Experimental validation for the combination of funnel control with a feedforward control strategy

Abstract

Current engineering design trends, such as lightweight machines and human–machine interaction, often lead to underactuated systems. Output trajectory tracking of such systems is a challenging control problem. Here, we use a two-design-degree of freedom control approach by combining funnel feedback control with feedforward control based on servo-constraints. We present experimental results to verify the approach and demonstrate that the addition of a feedforward controller mitigates drawbacks of the funnel controller. We also present new experimental results for the real-time implementation of a feedforward controller based on servo-constraints on a minimum phase system.