Adaptive automatic course-keeping control of a supertanker and a container-ship

Subtitle: A simulation study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Brink, A.W.^a | Baas, G.E.^a | Tiano, A.^b | Volta, E.^b

Affiliations: [a] TNO – Institute for Mechanical Constructions, Delft, The Netherlands | [b] Laboratorio per l’Automazione Navale, Genua, Italy

Abstract: Many aspects of the dynamic behaviour of ships, and consequently many problems concerning their control, require analysis by means of experimental and simulation. The paper presents the results of a simulation study on adaptive control, carried out by the Italian Laboratorio per l’Automazione Navale together with the Dutch TNO – Institute for Mechanical Constructions. The L.A.N. has acquired much experience in the field of identification and adaptive control of ships during the last ten years, while the Dutch Institute has developed and used a number of simulation-models of different ships. The simulation study covered the en-route course keeping under widely varying weather conditions. The ships to be controlled were a supertanker in loaded and in ballast condition and a containership. Simulation is a very powerful tool, because of the great flexibility and saving of time, compared with sea trials. The performance of the adaptive control system for course-keeping in deep water looks promising, also in rough weather. Further development may lead to the practical application of modem control theory on board in order to ensure safe and efficient operation of modern ships.

DOI: 10.3233/ISP-1979-2630101

Journal: International Shipbuilding Progress, vol. 26, no. 301, pp. 189-214, 1979