The Sliding Mode Control with a Time Delay Estimation (SMCTE) for an SMA Actuator

We deal with the sliding mode control using the time delay estimation. The time delay estimation is able to weaken the need for obtaining a quantitative plant model analogous to the real plant so the sliding mode control with a time delay estimation (SMCTE) is very suitable for plant such as SMA actuators whose quantitative model is difficult to obtain. We have already studied the application of the time delay control (TDC) to SMA actuators in other literature. Based on the previous study on the TDC, we developed the gain tuning method for the SMCTE, which results were nearly the same as the TDC. With respect to the step response, the SMCTE proved its predominance in a comparison with other control schemes such as the PID control and the relay control. As well as the contribution of the above control methodology, the model identification for SMA actuators has also been studied. The dynamics for an SMA actuator was newly derived using the modified Liang's model. The derived dynamics showed a continuity at the change of the phase transformation process but the original Liang's model could not.