Application of Mixed-Norm Optimal Control to a Multi-Objective Active Suspension Problem

Mixed norm optimal control synthesis is used to solve a multiobjective suspension problem. The objective is to develop a controller for an active suspension system onboard a tractor semitrailer vehicle. The problem is first approached by using H2 and H infinity optimization. It is shown that by combining both techniques into one mixed norm optimization method, it is possible to exploit the strengths of each norm to provide superior performance. Two H2/H infinity designs were completed. One design concentrated on optimal performance at one design condition. The second design concentrated on providing the best performance possible at a medium load configuration, while maintaining robust stability at the extreme load configurations.