# Active Disturbance Rejection Control of Underwater Vehicle with Omnidirectional Control

Authors: Wen-Qing Zhang; Liang-Long Da; Wu-Hong Guo; Yong Lv; Mei Han
Journal: Mathematical Problems in Engineering
 (2021)

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## Abstract

This paper focuses on the omnidirectional drive characteristics and autonomous control of the underwater saucer glider under the condition of underactuated and multiconstraints. Firstly, the dynamic model of the underwater saucer glider is established, and the underactuated control characteristics and the plane biaxial symmetry structure characteristics of the underwater saucer glider are analyzed. An omnidirectional drive mechanism with four water jet thrusters is designed, and the omnidirectional control power output equation is given. Secondly, a nonlinear active disturbance rejection controller is designed, and a visual simulation platform of UUVs based on MATLAB + MFC is established. Through a large number of numerical tests, the reliability and effectiveness of the control strategy are verified, and the smooth operation of the underwater saucer glider in the dynamic process of three-dimensional space is realized.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

With the development of marine science and technology at home and abroad, the use of underwater unmanned vehicles such as underwater gliders and AUVs for marine environment observation and marine resource survey has become a general trend [1, 2]. In terms of dynamic structure and drive mechanism, the underwater glider is quite different from the AUV. AUV generally uses forward or side thrusters for speed adjustment and rudder for course control [3]. But there is no propeller and rudder, the underwater glider can only control the position of gravity's center through a mass control system inside the platform [4], so as to realize the adjustment of the pitch and roll angles, combined with the underwater glider course adjustments of buoyancy adjustment, the underwater glider heading and attitude control is internal quality control system and the buoyancy adjusting system coupling motion [5], Its essence is to use the metamorphic center moment control method. The core of the metamorphic center moment control method [6] is to adjust the attitude of the vehicle by changing the vehicle center, thus changing the dynamic moment and the position of the gravity center of the body, so as to complete the movement maneuver. With the development of metamorphic center moment control technology, its application field is expanding, and the metamorphic center idea is gradually introduced into the control of the underwater vehicle. The deformed center control of the Graver underwater vehicle at Princeton University has been systematically studied, and a motion model of the underwater vehicle based on Newtonian mechanics has been established. The parameters of the vehicle have been identified through experiments, and the corresponding control system has been designed. The effective control of floating, sinking, and course change has been completed.In terms of vehicle control strategy research, Hu Kun et al. [7] designed a UUV depth active disturbance rejection controller based on a genetic algorithm according to the characteristics of the operation and control process of unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) and simulated its depth control under two conditions: no external interference and near surface navigation under wave force interference. In literature [8], the control ideas and methods of traditional PID controller and traditional fuzzy controller are introduced, and the control ideas of fuzzy PID control are analyzed, and the gain adjustment fuzzy controller is selected as the motion control method of circular disc glider, and the effectiveness of the algorithm is verified through experiments. This article [9] presents a fault-tolerant tracking control strategy for Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy-model-based nonlinear systems that combines integral sliding mode control with an adaptive control technique. An appropriate fuzzy integral switching surface is designed, and an adaptive fuzzy sliding mode tracking controller is synthesized to ensure the accessibility of the sliding motion despite the effect of actuator faults and unknown disturbances. Yueying Wang [10] instead proposes an integral sliding mode control strategy for a kind of Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy approximation-based nonlinear SPDSs under time-varying nonlinear perturbation. An adaptive FISMC is also given to deal with the unknown upper bounds of the matched perturbation. Active disturbance rejection controller (ADRC) has achieved soaring success in nonlinear control systems. Li Sun [11] proposes a quantitative tuning rule for the time-delayed ADRC (TD-ADRC) structure based on the typical first-order plus time delay (FOPTD) model. A sufficient stability condition of TD-ADRC is theoretically derived in terms of the scaled parameter pair, the range of which falls within the practical interest. Simulation and experiment validate the tuning efficacy and depict a promising prospective of the proposed method in process control practice.The underwater saucer glider is also characterized by underactuation but is different from AUV and general underwater gliders in terms of underactuation variables and multiple constraints [12]. From the domestic and foreign glider dynamics and control method research, we aim at the torpedo-shaped structure of underwater unmanned vehicle related research a lot, but the study of disc underwater glider content is less, especially the disc drive characteristics of the glider and omnidirectional characteristics did not give a quantitative analysis, Most of the control algorithms adopted are based on the traditional PID algorithm, and there are few research works on antiocean current interference. The underwater saucer glider studied in this paper adopts the vector-arranged water jet propulsion and the metamaterial center moment structure to adjust its attitude and course, establishes the output drive equation of the saucer glider, analyzes the omnidirectional motion characteristics of the saucer glider from the mathematical mechanism, and gives the stability conditions in the course control process. Aiming at the problem of ocean current interference, a nonlinear active disturbance rejection controller was designed, and a simulation test platform was built to verify the stability of heading control under the condition of ocean current interference.


## 2. Mathematical Modelling of Disc-Shaped Underwater Glider

For the establishment of the 6DOF kinematics model of the underwater vehicle, two rectangular coordinate systems are adopted in this paper: one is the fixed coordinate systemE−ξηζ, which is fixed to the earth, and the other is the moving coordinate system G−xyz. Each coordinate system is defined according to the right-handed system as shown in Figure 1. The Eξ axis is kept horizontal, with the true north as its forward direction in general; the Eη axis is in the horizontal plane, perpendicular to the axis Eξ, with the true east as its forward direction; the Eζ axis is perpendicular to the Eξη coordinate plane, and its forward direction points to the earth’s core. The origin of the coordinate system, written as O, can be selected at the center of gravity G of the underwater vehicle. In the moving coordinate system G−xyz, the Ox axis is generally selected in the central fore-and-aft plane of the underwater vehicle, and its forward direction is pointing to the stern and parallel to the water plane; the Oy axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal section of the underwater vehicle, parallel to the water plane, pointing to the starboard side of the underwater vehicle. The Oz axis is in the central fore-and-aft plane of the underwater vehicle, pointing to the bottom of the underwater vehicle. The position vector and attitude Euler angle of the underwater vehicle are defined in the fixed coordinate system. The linear velocity x,y,z and Euler attitude angle φ,θ,ψ of the underwater vehicle are identified in the fixed coordinate system. The linear velocity u,v,w, angular velocity p,q,r, center-of-gravity position xG,yG,zG, and longitudinal center on the buoyancy xB,yB,zB of the underwater vehicle are defined in the moving coordinate system.Figure 1
Diagram of the 3D space model of underwater saucer glider.According to Newton’s second law and Euler’s equation, the vector form of the equation of motion of space of the underwater vehicle is obtained as follows:(1)mδVδt+Ω×V+δΩδt×RG+Ω×Ω×RG=FΣ,IδΩδt+Ω×IΩ+RG×mδVδt+Ω×RG×mV=TΣ.In general, the external shape of the underwater vehicle is symmetrical in left and right, up and down, and front and back, and the rotational inertia of the underwater vehicle can be obtained as follows:Full symmetry in front and back is expressed as follows:(2)Izx=Ixz=Ixy=Iyx=0.Full symmetry in left and right is expressed as follows:(3)Ixy=Iyx=Iyz=Izy=0.Full symmetry in up and down is expressed as follows:(4)Iyz=Izy=Izx=Ixz=0.When the center of gravityG of the disc-shaped underwater vehicle does not coincide with the origin O of the moving system, the 6DOF kinematics equation of the disc-shaped underwater vehicle is obtained as follows:(5)mu˙−vr+wq−xGq2+r2+yGpq−r˙+zGpr+q˙=X,mv˙−wp+ur−yGr2+p2+zGqr−p˙+xGqp+r˙=Y,mw˙−uq+vp−zGp2+q2+xGrp−q˙+yGrq+p˙=Z,Ixp˙+Iz−Iyqr+myGw˙+pv−qu−zGv˙+ru−pw=K,Iyq˙+Ix−Izrp+mzGu˙+qw−rv−xGw˙+pv−qu=M,Izr˙+Iy−Ixpq+mxGv˙+ru−pw−yGu˙+qw−rv=N.As the underwater vehicle moves on water levelxoy, w=p=q=w˙=p˙=q˙=0, and variable u,v,r, the equation is simplified as follows:(6)mu˙−vr+wq−xGq2+r2+yGpq−r˙+zGpr+q˙=X,mv˙−wp+ur−yGr2+p2+zGqr−p˙+xGqp+r˙=Y,Izr˙+Iy−Ixpq+mxGv˙+ru−pw−yGu˙+qw−rv=N.The equation can be further simplified as follows:(7)mu˙−vr−xGr2−yGr˙=X,mv˙+ur−yGr2+xGr˙=Y,Izr˙+mxGv˙+ru−yGu˙−rv=N.As the underwater vehicle moves in the vertical planexoz, v=p=r=v˙=p˙=r˙=0, and variable u,w,q, the equation is simplified as follows:(8)mu˙−vr+wq−xGq2+r2+yGpq−r˙+zGpr+q˙=X,mw˙−uq+vp−zGp2+q2+xGrp−q˙+yGrq+p˙=Z,Iyq˙+Ix−Izrp+mzGu˙+qw−rv−xGw˙+pv−qu=M.The equation can be further simplified as follows:(9)mu˙+wq−xGq2+zGq˙=X,mw˙−uq−zGq2−xGq˙=Z,Iyq˙+mzGu˙+qw−xGw˙−qu=M.As the underwater vehicle moves in the rolling surfaceyoz, u=q=r=u˙=q˙=r˙=0, and variable v,w,p, the equation is simplified as follows:(10)mv˙−wp+ur−yGr2+p2+zGqr−p˙+xGqp+r˙=Y,mw˙−uq+vp−zGp2+q2+xGrp−q˙+yGrq+p˙=Z,Ixp˙+Iz−Iyqr+myGw˙+pv−qu−zGv˙+ru−pw=K.The equation can be further simplified as follows:(11)mv˙−wp−yGp2−zGp˙=Y,mw˙+vp−zGq2+yGp˙=Z,Ixp˙+myGw˙+pv−zGv˙−pw=K.The above equations are the general 6DOF kinematics equations for unmanned underwater vehicles. If it is assumed thatG,O points coincide, that is, xG=yG=zG=0, the above equation can be further simplified.


## 3. Analysis of Output Dynamic Characteristics

The disk-shaped vehicle adopts the mixed control structure of metamorphic center moment and vector propulsion to adjust the attitude and motion control of the vehicle [13]. Through the vector synthesis between the nozzles, the forward and backward motion, left-right translation, and self-rotation of the vehicle can be controlled. The saucer vehicle is placed inside the vehicle by four water injection pumps, and the nozzle is arranged at the edge of the saucer vehicle. Four circular nozzles were designed for this underwater saucer vehicle, respectively, T1, T2, T3, and T4. The specific positions of the four nozzles are shown in Figure 2 (horizontal section). The angles between the center of the four nozzles and the axis are –45°, +45°, 135°, and –135°, respectively, and the spray directions of the nozzles are shown in the arrows.Figure 2
Diagram of the output drive of an underwater saucer glider.Therefore, according to the distribution of the water jet pumps, we can conclude that in the vehicle-body coordinate system, the thrust of the water jet propeller to the center of mass is (vector form) as follows:(12)F∑=22F1+F2−F3−F4F1−F2−F3+F40T.Torque generated by thrust of the jet propeller is as follows:(13)M=00F2+F4−F1−F3RT,where R axis is the distance from the thrust line to the center of mass.Assume the resultant vector ofF1 and F3 is F13, the resultant vector of F2 and F4 is F24, the resultant vector of F1, F2, F3, and F4 is FΣ, and the resultant moment of the disc-shaped vehicle is M. The scalar form of torque and resultant force can be deduced as follows:(14)F1,3=F1−F3=FΣcosα−45°,F2,4=F2−F4=FΣsinα−45°,M=dF1−F2+F3−F42,F1,F2,F3,F4≥0.The relationship betweenF1, F2, F3, and F4 can be expressed as follows:(15)F1=F1,F2=F1−Md−22FΣcosα,F3=F1−FΣcosα−π4,F4=F1−Md−22FΣcosα−FΣsinα−π4.According to the driving equation of the underwater saucer glider, the heading angleαof the vehicle can be adjusted by changing the output force of the four water jets, T1, T2, T3, and T4, and the 360° in situ turning motion characteristic of the saucer glider can be realized. According to equation (15), assuming that the output vector torque of T1, T2, T3, and T4 is the same, the omnidirectional characteristics of the underwater saucer glider can be obtained as follows:(1)
Turn on T3 and T4, and turn off T1 and T2 at the same time. The disc glider can realize the translation movement along the positivex-axis, and the translation movement along the negative x-axis can be obtained in the same way.(2)
Turn on T2 and T3, and turn off T1 and T4 at the same time. The disc glider can realize the translation movement along the positivey-axis, and the translation movement along the negative y-axis can be obtained in the same way.(3)
Turn on T1 and T3, and turn off T2 and T4 at the same time. The disc glider can realize clockwise rotation motion, and in the same way, the counterclockwise rotation motion attitude can be controlled.(4)
Set the headingα by equation (15) to get the output of the four water jets of the saucer glider. Changing the output of the four water jets can make the saucer glider adjust to the set heading, and the setting range is 0–360°.


## 4. Analysis of Stability of Closed-Loop Course Control System

Underwater gliders have no propeller and rudder in general, resulting in the steering of underwater glides completely different from self-powered underwater vehicles such as AUV and ROV. In terms of the theory of course control, underwater gliders are also quite different from other underwater vehicles [14]. For the study of AUV course control, it is feasible to only consider the xoy law of motion on the horizontal plane. However, for the study of the course control of underwater gliders, only the oil bag buoyancy, roll mass block torque and pitch mass block torque in the vertical direction can be adjusted; the pitch angle of underwater gliders is changed by adjusting the size of the whole pitching mass block matrix; The vertical buoyancy of the underwater gliders can be changed by adjusting the amount of oil in the external oil bag. Only 3 driving forces can be generated by underwater gliders directly: buoyancy, roll torque, and pitch moment. The position of the center of gravity is controlled by the mass block adjustment system inside the platform, realizing the pitch and roll angle adjustment, as well as course control of underwater gliders combined with buoyancy adjustment. Therefore, the course control of underwater gliders is a rotating motion generated by the coupling action of the internal mass control system and the buoyancy control system, and the horizontal displacement, vertical displacement, yaw moment, and other variables are the result of the coupling action of the kinematic system.According to the law of course control of underwater gliders, it can be seen that:X=Y=N=0, Z≠0,K≠0,M≠0.The mathematical description of underwater glider course control is as follows:(16a)mu˙−vr+wq=0,(16b)mv˙−wp+ur=0,(16c)mw˙−uq+vp=Z,(16d)Ixp˙+Iz−Iyqr=K,(16e)Iyq˙+Ix−Izrp=M,(16f)Izr˙+Iy−Ixpq=0.To calculate yaw angular acceleration, take the derivation of both sides of equation (16f) as follows:(17)Izr¨+Iy−Ixp˙q+pq˙=0.From equations (16d) and (16e), p˙=1/IxK−Iz−Iyqr and q˙=1/IyM−Ix−Izrp, the following can be obtained:(18)Izr¨+Iy−IxqIxK−Iz−Iyqr−Iy−IxpIyM−Ix−Izpr=0.Because underwater vehicles have no active steering mechanism such as a steering rudder, the passive course control can only be realized by adjusting pitch angle and rolling angle. The course control system obtains the displacement of the longitudinal and transverse mass blocks of the vehicle according to the real-time estimation of course and the calculation of course. The pitch and roll angles are obtained by the weight component generated by the mass blocks. The control link has a serious time lag problem. Therefore, the time lag greatly affects the stability of the whole course control system. The course control with time lag system adopts state feedback control law,K=kpψτ+kdψ˙τ+kaψ¨τ, where M≈0, ψτ=ψt−τ, ψ˙τ=ψ˙t−τ, ψ¨τ=ψ¨t−τ, rt=ψ˙t, and ψis the bow-direction angle. By substituting this relation into the mathematical model (17), the dynamic equation of course control of underwater glider can be obtained as follows:(19)Izψ⃛t+Iy−IxkaIxqψ¨t−τ+Iy−IxkdIxqψ˙t−τ+Iy−IxkpIxqψt−τ−Iy−IxIz−Iyq2Ix+Iy−IxIx−Izp2Iyψ˙t=0.Rewrite the above equation to(20)ψ⃛t+s1ψ¨t−τ+s2ψ˙t−τ+s3ψt−τ+ηψ˙t=0,where(21)η=Ix−IyIz−Iyq2IxIz+Ix−IyIx−Izp2IyIz,s1=Iy−IxkaIxIzq,s2=Iy−IxkdIxIzq,s3=Iy−IxkpIxIzq.On the basis of equation (20), without considering the time lag factor, the time-lag-free disturbance equation of bow-direction angleψ under control condition is as follows:(22)ψ⃛t+s1ψ¨t+s2+ηψ˙t+s3ψt=0.When the vehicle is disturbed, the bow-direction angle has an incrementΔψ and substitute the amount of disturbance Δδ, into equation (22),(23)ψ⃛+Δψ⃛+s1ψ¨+Δψ¨+s2+ηψ˙+Δψ˙+s3ψ+Δψ=0.By subtracting the disturbance equation from the nondisturbance equation, the disturbance equation of motion is obtained as follows:(24)Δψ⃛t+s1Δψ¨t+s2+ηΔψ˙t+s3Δψt=0.It can be concluded that(1)
The control effect on the courseψis introduced; the term containing ψ is added; the order of the disturbance equation is raised to the third order, and the course control stability is introduced.(2)
Because the control term ofψ˙ is introduced, the equivalent to the hydrodynamic derivative value corresponding to ψ˙ is changed, and the equivalent effect of the hydrodynamic derivative value can be obtained by changing the control constantKp,Kd,Ka. Thus, selecting Kp,Kd,Ka properly can achieve the purpose of improving stability.For the study of the condition of course control stability, the following characteristic equation is considered:(25)λ3+s1λ2+s2+ηλ+s3=0.To make the vehicle has directional control stability in the horizontal plane, according to the Hurwitz discriminant method [15], the underwater vehicle has the stability conditions under the condition of direction control has no time lag impact:(26)s1>0,s2+η>0,s1s2+η>s3.


## 5. Design of Active Disturbance Rejection Controller

In the control process of the disc-shaped underwater glider, the ADRC algorithm is used for the course control to resist the external disturbance, and the traditional PID control algorithm is used for position and depth control. The ADRC [16] consists of three parts: reasonable extraction of differential tracking differentiator (TD), disturbance estimation compensation extended state observer (ESO), and appropriate nonlinear combination nonlinear state error feedback (NLSEF). Based on the literature [16], the yaw angle ADRC three-part control algorithm is as follows:(1)
The control algorithm of nonlinear tracking differentiator design of yaw angleψ is(27)ψd2k=ψd1k+1−ψd1kh,ψd2k+1−ψd2kh=fhanψd1k−ψdk,ψd2k,r,h0.(2)
The control algorithm of nonlinear extended state observer design of yaw angle channel is(28)eψk=z1k−ψ1k,fe=faleψ,0.5,0.01,fe1=faleψ,0.25,0.01,z1k+1−z1hh=z2k−β01eψ,z2k+1−z2hh=z3k−β02fe+b0uψk,z3k+1−z3hh=−β03fe1.(3)
The control algorithm of nonlinear state error feedback of yaw angle channel is(29)eψ1k=ψd1k−z1k,eψ2k=ψd2k−z2k,uψ0k=−fhaneψ1,eψ2,r,h0,uψk=uψ0kz3kb0.


## 6. Numerical Calculation and Simulation Verification

The physical parameters of the disc-shaped underwater glider platform used in the numerical simulation are shown in Table1.Table 1
Physical parameters of underwater saucer glider platform.
VariableSignalInitial valueUnitTotal massm112.69kgMaximum buoyancyT0.113m3Itself buoyancyB0676.2NGravitational accelerationg9.81m/s2Roll massm10.5kgPitch massm20.5kgVelocityu,v,w0,0,0m/sAngular velocityp,q,r0,0,0rad/sAttitude angleφ,θ,ψ0,0,0radCenter-of-gravity positionxG,yG,zG0,0,0.005mBuoyancy positionxB,yB,zB0,0,0mLimit of 1st sliderx1,y1,z10,−0.02,0mLimit of 2nd sliderx2,y2,z20,0.02,0mBased on the mathematical model of the underwater disc glider, a visual simulation platform of the unmanned underwater vehicle based on MATLAB + MFC has been established (Figure3). This platform can realize the calculation and simulation of the control algorithm of the disc-shaped underwater glider, the display and drawing of control state data, and the 3D dynamic process of the disc-shaped underwater glider, providing a good platform for the research of motion control strategy and the development of the autonomous control system. Figure 4 is the data of pitch motion characteristics of an underwater saucer glider, and Figure 5 is the data of V-shaped motion characteristics of an underwater saucer glider. Yaw angleψ channel parameter setting is as follows:(30)β01=200,β02=300,β03=500,r=32,h0=0.02.Figure 3
Visual simulation platform for motion control of the underwater disc glider.Figure 4
Antijamming control data of pitch motion of the underwater saucer glider.Figure 5
V-shaped motion data of underwater saucer glider.


### 6.1. Anticurrent Interference Control Experiment

The angle between the direction of sea current and thex-axis was set at 20°, and the sea current’s size was 1 kn. The “V” shape path was adopted for the depth profile of the underwater saucer glider. On the visual simulation platform (Figure 3), after setting the glider’s structural parameters, environmental parameters, control parameters, and simulation parameters, the numerical calculation results obtained from the simulation operation are shown in Figures 4 and 5.According to the simulation results in Figures4 and 5, it can be seen that the underwater saucer glider runs stably along with the set “V” shape path on the depth profile. In the process of operation, it is disturbed by the 1 kn sea current, and there are slight fluctuations in the roll direction and yaw direction, but the numerical magnitude is very small. It is verified that the nonlinear anti-interference controller can keep the control stability under the sea current disturbance in a certain range.


### 6.2. Coupling Influences Control the Experimental Process

When the pitch angle of the glider is set to 20°, sinusoidal interference is applied to the roll direction with an amplitude of±5°. The traditional PID control algorithm is adopted, and the control parameters are set as kp = 120, ki = 10, and kd = 20. Figure 6 was obtained through numerical calculation. It can be found that the pitch angle of the saucer glider is controlled around 20°, and within the range of up and down fluctuation of 2°, the pitch angle has obvious periodic fluctuation. It can be seen that the traditional PID control algorithm cannot solve the coupling effect of roll motion and pitch motion of the underwater dish glider.Figure 6
Pitch angle control process with nonlinear active disturbance rejection control algorithm.When the pitch angle of the glider is set to 20°, sinusoidal interference is applied to the roll direction with an amplitude of±5°. Using the nonlinear active disturbance rejection algorithm designed in this paper, the following results are obtained through numerical calculation. According to the results, it can be found that the pitch angle of the saucer glider is controlled in the vicinity of 20° and within the range of fluctuation of 0.5°, which reaches the control expectation. It can also be seen from Figure 7 that, in the step response, the steady-state running time of the control algorithm designed in the paper is 0.2 s, and the response is quick and fully meets the dynamic adjustment process of the underwater saucer glider. The method can also be used to analyze the influence of yaw direction disturbance on pitch angle control.Figure 7
Pitch angle control process with PID control algorithm.


## 6.1. Anticurrent Interference Control Experiment

The angle between the direction of sea current and thex-axis was set at 20°, and the sea current’s size was 1 kn. The “V” shape path was adopted for the depth profile of the underwater saucer glider. On the visual simulation platform (Figure 3), after setting the glider’s structural parameters, environmental parameters, control parameters, and simulation parameters, the numerical calculation results obtained from the simulation operation are shown in Figures 4 and 5.According to the simulation results in Figures4 and 5, it can be seen that the underwater saucer glider runs stably along with the set “V” shape path on the depth profile. In the process of operation, it is disturbed by the 1 kn sea current, and there are slight fluctuations in the roll direction and yaw direction, but the numerical magnitude is very small. It is verified that the nonlinear anti-interference controller can keep the control stability under the sea current disturbance in a certain range.


## 6.2. Coupling Influences Control the Experimental Process

When the pitch angle of the glider is set to 20°, sinusoidal interference is applied to the roll direction with an amplitude of±5°. The traditional PID control algorithm is adopted, and the control parameters are set as kp = 120, ki = 10, and kd = 20. Figure 6 was obtained through numerical calculation. It can be found that the pitch angle of the saucer glider is controlled around 20°, and within the range of up and down fluctuation of 2°, the pitch angle has obvious periodic fluctuation. It can be seen that the traditional PID control algorithm cannot solve the coupling effect of roll motion and pitch motion of the underwater dish glider.Figure 6
Pitch angle control process with nonlinear active disturbance rejection control algorithm.When the pitch angle of the glider is set to 20°, sinusoidal interference is applied to the roll direction with an amplitude of±5°. Using the nonlinear active disturbance rejection algorithm designed in this paper, the following results are obtained through numerical calculation. According to the results, it can be found that the pitch angle of the saucer glider is controlled in the vicinity of 20° and within the range of fluctuation of 0.5°, which reaches the control expectation. It can also be seen from Figure 7 that, in the step response, the steady-state running time of the control algorithm designed in the paper is 0.2 s, and the response is quick and fully meets the dynamic adjustment process of the underwater saucer glider. The method can also be used to analyze the influence of yaw direction disturbance on pitch angle control.Figure 7
Pitch angle control process with PID control algorithm.


## 7. Conclusions

This paper focuses on the autonomous control of the disc-shaped underwater vehicle under the condition of underactuation and multiple constraints. The plane biaxial symmetry structure of the disc-shaped underwater vehicle is analyzed, and the motion modes of each section are simplified. According to the analysis of nonlinear control stability, the global asymptotic stability condition of the system is given; an active disturbance rejection controller suitable for the disc-shaped vehicle is designed, which enables the vehicle with omnidirectional motion characteristics and highly flexible maneuverability, as well as reliable stability and strong robustness. Finally, the visual simulation platform of the unmanned underwater vehicle based on MATLAB + MFC is established. This platform can realize the calculation and simulation of the control algorithm of the disc-shaped underwater glider, providing a good platform for the research of motion control strategy and the development of autonomous control system. According to the control state data of a large number of numerical experiments, the ADRC designed in this paper can realize the smooth operation of the 3D dynamic process of the disc-shaped underwater glider, verified the effectiveness of the control strategy.This paper focuses on the autonomous control of the underwater saucer vehicle under the condition of underactuation and multiple constraints. This paper analyzes the characteristics of the plane biaxial symmetry drive structure of the underwater saucer vehicle, establishes the output drive equation of the saucer glider, and analyzes the omnidirectional motion characteristics of the saucer glider from the mathematical mechanism. According to the nonlinear control stability analysis, the global asymptotic stability condition of the system is given, and the active disturbance rejection controller suitable for the saucer structure vehicle is designed. Through numerical calculation experiments, it is verified that the system has reliable stability and strong robustness under the condition of ocean current disturbance and channel coupling. Finally, a visual simulation platform for UUVs based on MATLAB + MFC is established. This platform can realize the simulation of the control algorithm of the underwater saucer glider and is good for the research of motion control strategy and the development of the autonomous control system. From the control state data of a large number of numerical tests, it can be seen that the ADRC designed in this paper can realize the smooth operation of the 3D dynamic process of the underwater saucer glider, and the effectiveness of the control strategy is verified. Through the research on the omnidirectional driving characteristics and the ADRC algorithm of the underwater saucer glider, the theoretical research of the underwater saucer glider can be promoted to the engineering application. In particular, the omnidirectional driving feature makes the underwater saucer glider free of turning radius limitation, movement flexibility, and control stability. It can be predicted that the underwater saucer glider will have obvious application prospects in port reconnaissance and operation on complex terrain in narrow sea areas.



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