Maglev train levitation control via tracking differentiator with small phase lag

Abstract The levitation control system is a critical subsystem in maglev trains, ensuring stable levitation of the train on the guideway. Achieving stable levitation requires providing the system with accurate levitation gap and corresponding velocity data while minimizing phase lag. This work proposes an enhanced tracking differentiator (TD) to reduce phase lag in both filtering and differentiation of input signals with varying noise levels. The improved performance is achieved by incorporating system damping and an amplitude factor into the control algorithm used to design the differentiator. Theoretical analysis guarantees the convergence of the proposed algorithm. Simulations and experiments conducted on the levitation gap data demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed TD in reducing phase lag for both filtered and differentiated signals. Furthermore, experimental results highlight the improved performance of the feedback controller when employing the proposed TD.