Estimation of shape memory alloy actuator dynamics to design reduced‐order position controller with input saturation

This study focuses on the precise model estimation for a position control problem actuated by a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire. Because the hysteresis characteristic of SMA introduces complexities in system modelling and adds degrees of freedom, a model with reduced order is implemented for controller design. This model is online updated by calculating a complementary term from the measured data to compensate for the SMA actuator dynamics and other parametric uncertainties. The position controller, derived from the formulated reduced‐order model, adapts itself to real conditions and is cost‐effective due to the use of only displacement sensor. The saturation of the control input is modelled within the structure of a constrained optimization problem solved by Karush–Kuhn–Tucker theorem. The boundedness of mean and covariance of tracking error and its derivative is demonstrated by stochastic analysis. The experimental results conducted on a platform incorporating a SMA wire show the efficiency of the proposed system in precisely controlling the position by admissible voltage range. The comparative results with a sliding mode controller indicate higher accuracy for the proposed controller to reduce the effect of uncertainties. This study focuses on the precise model estimation for a position control problem actuated by a shape memory alloy wire made of nickel‐titanium. The position controller, designed from the constructed reduced‐order model, adapts itself to real conditions and is cost‐effective due to the use of only a displacement sensor.