Robust digital controller for robot manipulators

Direct digital design of computed torque controllers for a robot manipulator is discussed in this paper. A simple discrete-time model of the robot manipulator obtained by Euler's method is used for the design. Taking account of computation delay in the digital processor, we propose predictor-based designs of the PD and PID type controllers. The PID type controller is designed based on a modified version of the discrete-time integral controller proposed by Mita. For both controllers, the same formulas can be used to determine the feedback gains. A simulation example is presented to compare the robustness of the proposed controllers against physical parameter variations.