Radial basis function neural network based higher order sliding mode control

Abstract This paper presents a Radial Basis Function neural network based higher-order Sliding Mode Control for robust control of a dynamical system. A conventional sliding mode controller is suffering from a chattering problem, and the Super Twisting Algorithm is a special kind of higher-order Sliding Mode Control that has the capability of minimizing the chattering problem. There are also unknown model parameters and external disturbances that exert a negative influence on the control performance. To address the issues of model uncertainties and chattering, a Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural network based Super Twisting Algorithm is designed. The RBF neural network evaluates the model parameters and uncertainties, while the Super Twisting approach mitigates chattering, hence improving the controller’s overall performance. Lyapunov stability based adaptive laws are derived for online updating of the parameters of the neural network. The proposed control algorithm was tested on a 2-degree-of-freedom serial flexible joint robotic arm to investigate its efficacy. The controller has a lower control chattering amplitude, lower control energy consumption, and a good tracking response, when compared to the RBF based conventional Sliding Mode controller and simple STA controller, as shown by the results.