Multi-Objective Path Tracking Control for Car-Like Vehicles With Differentially Bounded n-Smooth Output

When designing path tracking controllers for car-like vehicles, two main aspects are the tracking performance and the characteristics of the actuation signal. Our work bases on an existing variable structure controller that was designed with the geometrically optimal solution of a Dubins car, but with chattering on the output. In this contribution, we extend this approach to achieve an actuation signal that is
$n$
-smooth and differentially bounded. While the global stability under matched disturbances is maintained, the finite time reaching behavior is exchanged for asymptotic convergence. With the
$n$
-smooth output,
$n$
new parameters are introduced, weighing the control characteristics between the tracking performance and the magnitude of the steering angles derivatives. The controller is also evaluated in simulation, demonstrating the tuning capabilities, as well as the reaching and tracking behavior. The main contribution of this work is a control law designed to produce a smooth steering angle with implicit satisfaction of bounds on its derivatives.