NCS-Controllers for Ambient Intelligence Networks - Control Performance versus Control Effort

Ambient Intelligence (AmI) Systems are typically based on low-energy and low-performance nodes which are connected by wireless ad-hoc networks. They imply some additional constraints to the general Networked Control System problem which are discussed in some detail. The main AmI- effects limiting the control performance and threatening the control stability are shown to be the variable network delays, the stochastic packet losses, the quasi packet losses and the limited resolution. With respect to the constraints three classes of solutions are introduced and compared. It is shown that the solutions result in trade-offs between the control performance and the limited control effort. Simulations are performed to make these trade-offs transparent for a special test system.