An Adaptive Sliding Mode Controller for Virtual Coupling High-speed Train

Virtual coupling is a new concept of train control system, which uses virtual connections and train-to-train communication instead of physical connections between trains. It can shorten the train tracking headway and significantly improve the transport efficiency. For the uncertain and nonlinear characteristics in the process of train control, this paper proposed an adaptive sliding mode controller. The controller can overcome the modeling error and external disturbance with unknown boundary, and can achieve adaptive control parameters tuning. The stability of the system was proved by Lyapunov theory. In addition, based on the relative speed method, this paper proposed virtual coupling minimum safety distance model and reference distance model, which are combined with the controller to ensure close tracking and safe operation of the train. Finally, with the real rail line and train data, a common train tracking scene was designed to simulate. Compared with other typical controller, simulation results verify the advantages of the proposed controller.