A Variable Structure Controller for Keeping Ship Course Based on Combination of PD and Fuzzy Controller

This paper researches into a multiplex control scheme combining PD controller with fuzzy controller for keeping ship Course. This approach takes advantage of the fast system response with PD controller and system robust with fuzzy controller. And it can be used to resolve two problems. The first is that PID controller can not keep ship course accurately under the high frequency disturbance, and the second is that fuzzy controller is difficult to guarantee a satisfactory performance between a ship' s turns with substantial angle and keeping course with small turning angle. The system structure and control strategy are discussed in this paper. At last, some simulation results show the system's performance is good and effiective.