Correlation-Based Tuning of a Restricted-Complexity Controller for an Active Suspension System

A correlation-based controller tuning method is proposed for the ``Design and optimization of restricted-complexity controllers'' benchmark problem. The approach originally proposed for model following is extended to solve the disturbance rejection problem. The idea is to tune the controller parameters such that the closed-loop output be uncorrelated with the disturbance signal. Since perfect decorrelation between the closed-loop output and the disturbance signal is not attainable in the restricted-complexity controller design, the cross correlation between these two signals is minimized iteratively using the stochastic approximation method. Since control specifications can normally be expressed in terms of constraints on the sensitivity functions, a frequency-domain analysis of the criterion is performed. Straightforward implementation of the proposed approach on the active suspension system of the Automatic Control Laboratory of Grenoble (LAG) provides a 2nd-order controller that meets the control specifications very well.