Distributed Adaptive Multi‐Lane Fusion Control for 2‐D Plane Vehicle Platoon With Distance Constraints and Angle Sensor Faults

ABSTRACT This article investigates the distributed adaptive multi‐lane fusion control for two‐dimensional (2‐D) plane vehicle platoons with variable distance constraints, input hysteresis, and angle sensor faults. Variable distance constraints occur within a limited time interval (VDCOLT), which limits vehicle spacing within a variable range during preset time intervals while keeping the vehicle spacing unconstrained at other times. Combined with a transformed error function, a new shifting function is introduced to convert the constrained spacing error variables into the unconstrained variables while keeping the unconstrained variable unchanged. Designing the position controller ensures that the distance satisfies VDCOLT and reduces the adverse effects caused by unknown signs of input hysteresis by using a Nussbaum function. Moreover, a new angle controller based on the hyperbolic tangent function is designed to solve the problem of angle sensor faults. Furthermore, the stability of the vehicle platoon is achieved through the backstepping control and sliding‐mode control methods. Finally, a numerical simulation is provided to verify the proposed techniques.