Fixed-time second-order sliding mode output feedback trajectory tracking control for an autonomous surface vehicle with model uncertainties and prescribed performance

This paper investigates the fixed-time trajectory tracking control problem of autonomous surface vehicle system with asymmetric performance constraints. The external disturbances, model uncertainties and the difficulty of velocity measurement are all taken into account in the controller design. Asymmetric performance constraints are firstly studied to improve the transient and steady-state performance of the tracking error system. Next, a fixed-time extended state observer is developed to estimate the unknown velocity and external disturbances. Both the fixed-time first-order and the second-order PID-type sliding surfaces are designed. Further, two continuous output feedback controllers are built to achieve high control accuracy and low energy consumption and to achieve fixed-time stability of the closed-loop system. Finally, abundant simulations for CyberShip II demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.