Output-feedback formation tracking control of autonomous surface vessels with collision avoidance

In this paper, a formation control problem with collision avoidance is investigated for underactuated surface vessels with position–heading measurements. Each vessels is subject to actuator magnitude and rate saturations. At first, an anti-saturation nonlinear extended state observer is developed to recover the linear velocity and yaw rate as well as unknown uncertainty and disturbances. Then, observer-based formation control laws are designed based on an artificial potential functions, obstacle avoidance yaw references and a backstepping technique. The stability of closed-loop formation control system is proved. The salient features of this paper are as follows. First, formation control with the capability of collision avoidance is achieved by using artificial potential functions and obstacle avoidance yaw references, which is more aggressive. Second, the proposed controller is able to deal with the magnitude and rate constraints of the actuator. Third, the proposed anti-saturation nonlinear extended state observer can achieve better estimation results for rapidly changing signals. Simulation results are given to substantiate the proposed formation control laws. •Formation control with collision avoidance is achieved by using artificial potential functions and obstacle avoidance yaw references.•The proposed controller is able to deal with the magnitude and rate constraints of the actuator.•The proposed anti-saturation nonlinear extended state observer can achieve better estimation results can be achieved for rapidly changing signals.