NARMAX modelling and robust control of internal combustion engines

Detailed in this paper is a SISO non-linear modelling and robust controller design methodology experimentally verified on an internal combustion engine. The methodology begins with the identification of a NARMAX model that captures the non-linear dynamics relating the input to the output of a system. This model is converted to a describing function representation for the purpose of robust feedback controller design. The ideology for the describing function recovery is developed in the form of an algorithm which can be extended to other NARMAX model structures not considered here. The controller design is executed in the frequency domain where the output performance specification is |y(t)| ≤ β∀t > 0 and the actuator saturation constraint is \u(t)\ ≤ K ∀t > 0. For the engine idle speed control application of this study, a SISO NARMAX model of the engine is developed between the by-pass idle air valve (BPAV) and engine speed. The performance objective for the controller design is the time domain tolerance of |Δ rpm| ≤ 100 rpm on idle speed perturbations despite a non-measurable 20 N m external torque disturbance. The controller is validated through numerical simulations as well as experimental verification.