Dynamic Systems Control Using Entrainment-enhanced Neural Oscillator

In this paper, an approach to dynamic systems control is addressed based on exploiting the potential features of the new nonlinear neural oscillator. Neural oscillators have recently enabled robots to exhibit natural dynamics using their robustness and entrainment properties. To technically accomplish this objective, the neural oscillator should be connected to the robot joints under the sensory feedback. This also requires the neural oscillator to adapt to the non-periodic nature of arbitrary input patterns. However, even in the most widely-used Matsuoka oscillator, when an unknown quasi-periodic or non-periodic signal is applied, its output signal is not always closely entrained. Therefore, current neural oscillators may not be applied to the precise control of the dynamic systems response. We illustrate the enhanced entrainment properties of the new neural oscillator by numerical simulation and show the possibility for implementation to control a variety of dynamic systems. It is verified that the oscillator can produce rhythmic signals for generating actuator signals which can be naturally modified by incorporating sensory feedback to adapt to outer circumstances.