arXiv subjects

Longhao Qian

Publications and source records attributed to Longhao Qian.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Contraction-based Neural Control for Cooperative Aerial Payload Transportation with Variable-length Cables

This paper presents a novel neural nonlinear control framework for a multi-drone slung payload system with variable-length cables and a rigid-body payload. The equations of motion are formulated into a decoupled structure, where the payload and cable length dynamics are governed by independent control channels, facilitating modularized controller design on reduced-order subsystems. A neural control contraction metric (CCM) controller and a neural feedback controller are jointly trained to enforce contraction conditions for the payload subsystem. Separately, a cable length control law is derived that exploits the variable-length degree of freedom for obstacle avoidance. Numerical simulations demonstrate trajectory tracking of a rigid-body payload and gate traversal capabilities of the overall system under the proposed control framework.

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arXiv2026

Neural Robust Control on Lie Groups Using Contraction Methods (Extended Version)

In this paper, we propose a learning framework for synthesizing a robust controller for dynamical systems evolving on a Lie group. A robust control contraction metric (RCCM) and a neural feedback controller are jointly trained to enforce contraction conditions on the Lie group manifold. Sufficient conditions are derived for the existence of such an RCCM and neural controller, ensuring that the geometric constraints imposed by the manifold structure are respected while establishing a disturbance-dependent tube that bounds the output trajectories. As a case study, a feedback controller for a quadrotor is designed using the proposed framework. Its performance is evaluated using numerical simulations and compared with a geometric controller.

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arXiv2025

A Robust Neural Control Design for Multi-drone Slung Payload Manipulation with Control Contraction Metrics

This paper presents a robust neural control design for a three-drone slung payload transportation system to track a reference path under external disturbances. The control contraction metric (CCM) is used to generate a neural exponentially converging baseline controller while complying with control input saturation constraints. We also incorporate the uncertainty and disturbance estimator (UDE) technique to dynamically compensate for persistent disturbances. The proposed framework yields a modularized design, allowing the controller and estimator to perform their individual tasks and achieve a zero trajectory tracking error if the disturbances meet certain assumptions. The stability and robustness of the complete system, incorporating both the CCM controller and the UDE compensator, are presented. Simulations are conducted to demonstrate the capability of the proposed control design to follow complicated trajectories under external disturbances.

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arXiv2024

Observability-Aware Control for Quadrotor Formation Flight with Range-only Measurement

Cooperative Localization is a promising approach to achieving safe quadrotor formation flight through precise positioning via low-cost inter-drone sensors. This paper develops an observability-aware control principle tailored to quadrotor formation flight with range-only inter-drone measurements. The control principle is based on a novel approximation of the local observability Gramian (LOG), which we name the Short-Term Local Observability Gramian (STLOG). The validity of STLOG is established by proving its link to directional estimation precision in nonlinear systems. We propose the Observability Predictive Controller (OPC), a receding-horizon controller that generates optimal inputs to enhance information gain in weakly observable state directions by maximizing the minimum eigenvalue of the STLOG. This reduces the risk of estimator divergence due to the unbounded growth of uncertainty in weakly observed state components. Monte Carlo simulations and flight experiments are conducted with quadrotors in a GNSS-denied ferrying mission, showing that the OPC improves positioning confidence and estimator robustness.

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