Application of consensus control to cooperative dynamic positioning systems of ships

• Grant number: 13/17238-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2013
• End date: July 20, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Naval and Oceanic Engineering - Shipbuilding and Ocean Systems Technology
• Principal Investigator: Eduardo Aoun Tannuri
• Grantee: André Nogueira de Sá
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research plan proposes the study of cooperative control methodologies in the control of multiple vessels. In particular, it will study the use of consensus strategies to control the formation of DP ships on offshore operations. This technique is yet underexplored and has great potential of improves not only at the coordination of multiple ships, but also at use of potency of the whole system to do so. Among the applications that can use this technique, an example is the operation of releasing of equipment on the seabed, which is currently realized with a group of ships without a cooperative control system. It is intended to study the effects of the use of a cooperative control algorithm in this type of operation, with the objective of keeping fixed the formation of the group of ships and, with this, ensure more safety against disturbances that act on them. The research will be performed in the laboratory of the department of naval architecture of the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo, where there are tools of simulation and analysis to assist the research