Output Feedback Sliding Mode Control for a Stewart Platform With a Nonlinear Observer-Based Forward Kinematics Solution

In this paper, an observer-based forward kinematics solution of a 6-6 Stewart platform is proposed and this algorithm is applied to implement an output feedback sliding mode control. The conventional forward kinematics solutions take too much computational load or are too complex to be carried out in the online control scheme. The proposed nonlinear observer-based algorithm provides a simple method to obtain a real-time forward kinematics solution. With this solution, 6-degrees-of-freedom posture control of the moving platform can be achieved without installation of any external sensor after applying an output feedback control. In contrast with the conventional control scheme which aims to control individual leg length in actuator domain, the output feedback controller is proposed here to control the posture in Cartesian domain directly. The stability of the whole system is thoroughly proved to ensure convergence of the control errors. Simulations and experimental results are presented to validate the feasibility of the hereby proposed results.