In this project we aim to experimentally determine the backbone and the frequency response of a system using Control Based Continuation. CBC consists, loosely speaking, in creating a phase controller (PLL, Phase-Locked Loop) to lock a system at resonance (90°) and then extract the backbone by increasing the forcing with continuation algorithms, typical of numerical analysis. Recently, techniques to compute an SSM from inexpensive experimental tests have emerged. These data-driven SSMs are extremely interesting from the application point of view, as they rely on the real system and because they do not suffer from the inherent limitations of the numerical method (which is limited, as a Taylor series, to small deviations from the expansion point).
The object of this project is to embed an SSM-based “observer” into a CBC to enhance its capabilities. In particular, we envision that such a configuration would be able to better reject noise, allowing the CBC to converge faster and to handle also equilibrium points with smaller and smaller basins of attraction. After an initial explorative work using numerical models, the final aim would be to showcase the method on an experimental case, ideally a MEMS structure from our lab.
Tools: Matlab, SpeadGoat (for the controller).
Contacts: Jacopo Marconi
Candidate: Giovanni Berti (giovanni1.berti@mail.polimi.it)