Abstract
This paper addresses the design of an adaptive sliding mode control for an autonomous underwater vehicle with the objective to reject bounded internal and external perturbations. The proposed control is used to achieve velocity regulation and autonomous path-following using waypoints. Each task is successfully performed in the presence of parametric uncertainties and irrotational water currents. Due to complex dynamics and random external perturbations, underwater vehicles need robust control. The closed-loop stability and finite-time convergence of the system are demonstrated using the Lyapunov direct method. To provide a detailed and realistic testing environment for the proposed adaptive controller, a dynamic model of the vehicle using the Lagrange method is derived where all underwater effects are included. On that basis, the proposed adaptive sliding mode controller is compared to its non-adaptive equivalent and PD (Proportional Derivative) computed torque control. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed adaptive control has better robustness and precision for this particular type of vehicle.