Robust $H_{\infty}$ Position Controller for Steering Systems

Abstract: This paper presents a robust position controller for electric power assisted steering and steer-by-wire force-feedback systems. A position controller is required in steering systems for haptic feedback control, advanced driver assistance systems and automated driving. However, the driver's \textit{physical} arm impedance causes an inertial uncertainty during coupling. Consequently, a typical position controller, i.e., based on single variable, becomes less robust and suffers tracking performance loss. Therefore, a robust position controller is investigated. The proposed solution is based on the multi-variable concept such that the sensed driver torque signal is also included in the position controller. The subsequent solution is obtained by solving the LMI$-H_{\infty}$ optimization problem. As a result, the desired loop gain shape is achieved, i.e., large gain at low frequencies for performance and small gain at high frequencies for robustness. Finally, frequency response comparison of different position controllers on real hardware is presented. Experiments and simulation results clearly illustrate the improvements in reference tracking and robustness with the proposed $H_\infty$ controller.