On-line particle-swarm-optimization control for maglev transportation system via backstepping design procedure

This study focuses on the design of a backstepping particle-swarm-optimization control (BSPSOC) for the on-line levitated balancing and propulsive positioning of a magnetic-levitation (maglev) transportation system. The dynamic model of a maglev transportation system including levitated electromagnets and a propulsive linear induction motor (LIM) based on the concepts of mechanical geometry and motion dynamics is firstly constructed. In the proposed BSPSOC scheme, a particle-swarm-optimization (PSO) control is utilized to be the major control role, and adaptation laws derived from Lyapunov stability analyses are manipulated to adjust appropriate evolutionary coefficients. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategy for the maglev transportation system is verified by numerical simulations, and the superiority of the BSPSOC scheme is indicated in comparison with the backstepping control (BSC) strategy.