Mission

Systems and Control Laboratory (SCL) has been the leading research center in Mathematical Systems and Control Theory and related applications in Hungary for more than three decades. SCL pursues research in mathematical systems modeling, analysis and control of engineering systems represented by the classical and emerging technologies, as well as other, sometimes large-scale, dynamical systems, related to the field of natural sciences. The scope of activity includes forefront research in specific fields of mathematical systems theory, system identification, filtering and control, moreover, advanced signal and image processing techniques with special focus on application of systems' theory in safety critical systems.

Scope

Systems and Control Theory

In the treatment of the problems of control systems design and filtering, linear and nonlinear approaches both in continuous and discrete time settings are considered. Representing nonlinearities in modeling of uncertain dynamical systems the linear parameter varying (LPV) formulations has gained significant attention in the past years. Investigation of general system concepts, such as invertability, controllability and stabilizability and other related questions concerning their possible applications both in linear and nonlinear frameworks are in the focus of the research. Theoretic foundations of linear hybrid control systems in the application of fault tolerant reconfigurable control systems are investigated. Advanced methods of optimally robust control and filtering in novel sparsely distributed and heterogeneous environments are in consideration.   

• Linear and Nonlinear Systems
• Systems Modeling and Identification
• Adaptive and Robust Estimation and Control
• Hybrid and Switched Control Systems
• Distributed and Networked Control Systems
• Process Systems 

Advanced Vehicles and Vehicle Control

SCL provides solutions for advanced vehicle control systems design and analysis. The main directions of the research include fault-tolerant control systems architectures, control of coordinated platoon systems, commercial vehicle fleet management and control methods of intelligent unmanned vehicle systems. Methods of active safety and drive assist systems for commercial vehicles are in the forefront of the research. One of the objectives is the integration of the diverse methods and components of the active control systems, such as suspension, steering and braking; in order to improve safety and reliability measures of the vehicle by providing guaranteed control performance. Elimination of unwanted interference between non-coordinated control actions may contribute to better comfort and optimal utilization of onboard resources. Methods of sensor fusion and application of network-based communication solutions in the integration of active vehicle control are investigated. Statistical analyses and data acquisition concerning the operation of the safety systems of road vehicles, moreover, the modeling of traffic networks in combination with vehicle and driver-behavior models is also in the scope. The freeway state estimation problem in a distributed framework is tackled trying to reduce the computational load of the algorithms.

• Integrated control methods for road vehicles
• Control and detection of vehicle dynamics
• Control of vehicle platoon systems
• Analysis of experimental data for vehicle safety systems
• Road traffic flow modeling and control

Fault Detection and Diagnosis

The subject of the research is reliability, availability and safety of technical processes. These are closely related both to the process and its control systems, and they are addressed during design, start-up, operation, maintenance and repair. Based on the theoretic foundations provided by systems and control theory, methods of advanced techniques of detection filter design are investigated. Recently, as much progress could be observed in the domain of distributed control systems, implemented over communication networks, there has been increased interest in the theory and application of fault detection methodology in distributed and network-based systems. The research addresses the fault detection, fault localization and estimation problems in distributed dynamical systems by using decentralized filtering. The combined use of advanced LPV modeling, methods of dynamic system inversion and robust optimal filtering is in the scope of the research in an attempt to apply the results in the industries. Applications ranging from aircraft failure detection to windmill health monitoring are in consideration.

Advanced Signal Processing Methods

It has been recognized that the mathematical modeling techniques originated in systems and control theory can be seen in a much wider context. Diverse applications from signal processing, ranging from control of smart autonomous vehicles to biomedical applications, hallmark these fields. A special extension of nonstandard orthogonal basis functions, for instance, is found useful in a wavelet-like construction to enhance system identification, as well as in the creation of advanced image processing methods for detection of moving objects in the 3D space. The Zernike polynomial-based geometric surface representation and aberration 

detection for biomedical systems is another focus of the activity. Besides the theoretical research, the aspects of realization – with emphasis on parallel and distributed system architectures, moreover, embedded and FPGA-based system design – are also considered. The novel ideas as above gain increasing significance in physical, biomedical and industrial applications.

Applications

Green Energy Production and Renewable Energy

As part of the units' lifetime extension project at the Nuclear Power Plant, Paks, Hungary, SCL pursues research on the application of the newest results of control theory in safety critical process environments like in the nuclear industry. Contributions to the primary circuit pressure control system refurbishment project have demonstrated the applicability of novel theoretic results in real industrial practice, efficiently. Consultation, component and architecture analysis and the development of advanced design methodologies to support field engineers in tuning and setting up the instrumentation are part of the laboratory activities. Green energy production and distribution, moreover, the utilization of renewable energy represents another field of research where the application of advanced control technology may provide significant advantages in the future. SCL’s laboratory practice, therefore, pays particular attention to research needs of the emerging smart-grid, from many perspectives.

Unmanned Aerial and Land Vehicles

As a straight application of the results of the basic research SCL pursues research in the novel technology field of unmanned computer controlled autonomous (air) vehicles (UAVs). Flight control experiments for testing and validating the performance of prospective control algorithms in autonomous trajectory tracking and intelligent navigation represent the basic part of the research in an attempt to design and implement various control system mockups (quad rotor helicopters and rigid wing aerial vehicles).

Research Partnerships

SCL steadily follows a research strategy to overcome the technological gap existing between the scientific methods advocated within the academic communities and the technological development required by the industry. To this end, beyond maintaining living relationships with the Hungarian University Network, SCL works closely with resident research branches of international companies in Hungary, such as with Knorr-Bremse Group and Bosch, as well as with several other European companies and institutions (e.g., Airbus). SCL has established a firm cooperation network with several universities and research laboratories overseas, such as the University of Minnesota, MN.