Rouv Heading by a Fractional-Order PI Controller

Abstract

To control a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROUV) of the observation ROUVs class, the interactions among mechanical, electronic and information processing elements call for an integrated approach at all design and development stages. Different methodologies must be combined in a multi-formalism modelling approach supported by a suitable simulation and prototyping environment. The proposed approach further involves the development of a digital twin ROUV prototype in the Gazebo-based simulator to assess performance reliably, and the utilization of a ROUV controller board (stm32F407, Quad-core Cortex-A7) with a digital camera and an inertial measurement unit (3D accelerometer, 3D gyroscope, compass) to implement and run the designed control algorithms in real-time. A mathematical model of the system is derived to design a fractional-order PI controller of the ROUV heading in the horizontal plane.