Dynamic learning from adaptive neural control for flexible joint robot with tracking error constraints using high-gain observer

ABSTRACT This paper presents dynamic learning from adaptive neural control with prescribed tracking error performance for flexible joint robot (FJR) included unknown dynamics. Firstly, a system transformation method is introduced to convert the original FJR system into a normal system. As a result, only one neural network (NN) approximator is used to identify the uncertain system nonlinear dynamics and the verification on the convergence of neural weights is simplified extremely. To further solve the predefined performance issue, a performance function is introduced to describe a tracking error constraint and a error transformation technique is used to convert the constrained tracking control problem into the unconstrained stabilization of error system. By combining a high-gain observer and the backsteppig method, the adaptive neural controller is presented to stabilize the unconstrained error system. Under the satisfaction of the partial persistent excitation condition, the adaptive neural controller is shown to be capable of achieving unknown dynamics acquisition, expression and storage. Furthermore, a neural learning control with using the stored NN weights is proposed for the same or similar control task so that a time-consuming NN online adjustment process can be avoided and a better control performance can be obtained. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control method.