Comparison of Fractional-Order and Integer-Order H-infinty Control of a Non-Collocated Two-Mass Oscillator

Abstract: We consider the robust control of a two-mass oscillator with a dominant input delay. Our aim is to compare a fractional-order tuning approach including the partial compensation of non-minimum phase zeros with a classical H-infinity loop-shaping design, since both these designs lead to a relatively high controller order. First of all a detailed physical model is derived and validated using measurement data. Based on the linearized model both controllers are designed to be comparable, i.e. they show a similar crossover frequency in the open loop and the final controller order is reduced to the same range for both designs. The major differences between both are the different methods how the feed-forward action is included. The loop-shaping approach with fractional-order elements relies on the plant inverse using a flat output, whereas the H-infinty design incorporates a two-degree of freedom control, i.e. the reference signal is included into the known inputs of the generalized plant. Each controller is tested in simulation and experiment. As both open-loops are nearly identical in the frequency range of interest, the results from an input disturbance experiment show no major difference. The different design approaches of the feed-forward path are clearly visible in the tracking experiment.