International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) Volume 15 Number 8 Sep 2014

Design of Tracking of Moving Target Using PID

Controller
Ajeet Singh#1, Dr. S. Chatterjee#2 , Ritula Thakur#3
#1

M.E Student, #2Professor and Head, #3Assistant Professor

Department of Electrical Engineering, NITTTR, Chandigarh
Abstract--The Line-of-Sight stabilization and tracking control
based on gyro stabilized platform is required to isolate Line of
sight from the movement and vibration of carrier and ensure
pointing and tracking for target in electro-optical tracking
system. This work describes the design of a high performance
controller for an electro-mechanical target tracking system with
an optical sensor for sighting. The control law has been obtained
using a linear model of the electro mechanical system. The
modelling of the system has been carried out using the
experimental frequency response data. In the present work, PID
controller is used to design the line-of-sight stabilization and
tracking system. The conventional PID controller has been
incorporated to regulate the speed of the platform and moving
object. The PID controller has been tuned using Ziegler Nichols
method and optimized by using simplex pattern search Genetic
Algorithm method. The performance of the optimized PID
controller has been compared with the PID controller. The
proposed controller has been tested by incorporated nonlinearity into the system. Simulation results tested with
conventional PID controller and optimized PID controller. It is
observed that optimized PID controller provided better result.
Keywords:..LOS, PID, GAPID, Stabilization, Tracking.

I. INTRODUCTION
The Line-of-Sight is the vector drawn between an imaging
sensor and target. Electro-optical (EO) imaging sensors
mounted on a mobile platform usually require some form of
control to stabilize the sensor pointing vector along the target
LOS. Such a system is termed as LOS Stabilisation
System[1]. It is an essential feature of electro- optical imaging
tracking system on a movable carrier, such as infrared missile
seeker, airborne electro-optical detector, etc. This technology
is applied to isolate the LOS of sensor from carrier
disturbance, in order to guarantee accurate aiming and
tracking for the target in inertial space. LOS stabilization and
tracking control system works on the measurement of moving
object orientation which is measures with the help of
gyroscope, which rather than indicating direction, indicates
the rate of change of angle with time[2]. Rate gyro is used to
measure a rate of angular moment which is mounted on the
stabilized axis of the gimbal as the speed sensor of the
stabilization platform. The control system manipulates the
platform, which is driven directly by DC motor, and keeps
LOS of imaging sensor stabilized. The stabilisation system
must limit the amount of image motion in the field of view of
the optical sensor during a frame i.e. sensor integration
period[3]. The allowable jitter is a function of the sensor
resolution and beam width of the pointing device, and these in
turn are usually determined by the angular substance of the
target at the desired operating range. The torque disturbances

ISSN: 2231-5381

in the system can be due to bearing and motor friction,

unbalanced aerodynamics, vibration forces from on-board
mechanisms, spring torque forces from wires or flexures or
due to some non-intuitive torques. The design of tracking
system controller is carried out for two-axis gimbals. The LOS
is stabilized in elevation as well as in azimuth with a high
degree of disturbance in both the axes[4]. High precision twoaxis gimbals are engineered with very good stiffness
properties. The inertial rate of the payload is sensed by very
high performance dynamically tuned gyros (DTG), which are
characterized by very low drift values of the order of 0.00001
deg. /sec[5][6]. Two stabilization loops work simultaneously
for the overall stabilization of the optical sensor in the space.
The plant model is generated using experimental frequency
response data.
II. TRACKING AND STABILIZATION
Design of control system for tracking of moving target is of
significance in video surveillance. The system works on the
principle of closed loop servo control. A complete electrooptical tracking system consists of an imaging sensor
(typically CCD), which is mounted on a two-axis stabilized
servo platform, and a tracker, which controls the position of
the platform, based on the scene observed through the imaging
sensor[7][8]. In the case of a manual tracking system, an
operator controls the position of the platform (via joystick,
etc.) based on the image observed via a video monitor. In this
way, the operator will attempt to drive the platform so that the
object of interest is fixed on the bore sight. In the case of an
automatic tracking system, the operator is replaced by an
electronic system which processes the video images directly in
real-time to ascertain the position of a designated object with
respect to the sensor bore sight. Stabilization error is used to
control the platform stability and attached sensors accurately
follow the target. Line of sight stabilization is achieved by
taking feedback from rate gyros mounted on azimuth and
elevation gimbals of sight head[9]. A two-axis gimballed
stabilization system in air vehicles must stabilize the line of
sight toward a target against the external motion induced by
air vehicle manoeuvring and aerodynamic forces. It is well
known that the target tracking and pointing performances of
the air vehicles are largely affected by air vehicle motion
decoupling capability. This introduces a servo drive model for
a two-axis gimballed stabilization system, and presents robust
controllers for the air vehicle stabilization system. The
mutation results are compared to confirm the validity of the
suggested simulation model and the control design procedures
for the line of sight stabilization and tracking system applied

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International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) Volume 15 Number 8 Sep 2014
to moving object[10][11]. The control system utilize two-axis
gimballed stabilization system consisting of target tracker,
pitch and yaw axis gimbals and DC drive system. The servo
drive of such air vehicles is composed of tracking and search
loops which commonly include the stabilization loop as an
inner loop. The stabilization loop plays an important role in
searching and tracking a target. Generally, the two axis
gimballed platform is used to achieve the rapid and precise
response characteristics and also stabilized the moving
platform during tracking the target[12]. The tracking
performance of the air vehicles depends on stabilization of
platform which is able to isolate the target tracker disturbance
induced into the tracking loop by an air vehicle body motion,
vibration, background radiation, and Atmospheric attenuation.
Here the gimbal pay load is having freedom of two degree so
it is free to move in X and Y direction[13]. The aim of control
algorithm is to stabilize the pay load against the disturbances
and at the same time it should follow the command given by
the user. A fire control system is an integral part of a weapon
system of any military vehicle. The engagement capability of
the modern weapon platforms has been increased over the
conventional system by integration of new technologies.
Observation / recognition range / capability have been
increased under both static and dynamic conditions by
stabilizing the line of sight (LOS)[14]. Aline of sight
stabilization system consists of a precision electro-mechanical
assembly, gimbals, optical sight and control electronics etc.
This paper discusses the design of PID controller for tracking
& LOS stabilization[15][16].
SIMULINK MODEL OF STABILIZATION AND
TRACKING CONTROL SYSTEM WITH PID
CONTROLLER
The block diagram of line of sight stabilization and tracking
control system shown in figure 1. The LOS tracking close
loop system having tracking and stabilization feedback loops
with positive and negative feedback respectively.

1
s

C ontrol I/P LO S Rate

PID(s)

Command S ignal

Integrator

S um1

S tabi lization
Controller

S cope

S ervo S ystem wi th
Gimbal Pay Load

S um2

0.1
Fee dback Gain
Fe e dback O /P

Rate

PID(s)
2

Gyroscope and
White Noise Filter

Track
Gain

Reference
S ignal

S um3

Tracking Controller
10e-6
Uniform Random Coulomb &
Viscous Friction
Number

S PA1

Fig.2 Simulink Model of LOS Stabilization and Tracking System

Simulink model of gimbal payload subsystem with resonance

is shown in figure 3.
1

4.7

Control I/P

1.54

0.0066s+4.7
Sum

SPA

Motor Winding

num(s)

s+2*pi*0.5*1

den(s)

1
LOS Rate

resonance

Kt

1.54
Kb

Fig.3 Simulink Subsystem of Servomechanism Gimballed Payload

Figure 4 shows the Simulink model subsystem of LOS

tracking system Gyroscope with white noise low pass filter
PID based.

III.

num(s)
df1

1
Gyro O/P
Sum2

LPF @ 100Hz & Scaling Band-Limited

White Noise
5.7*2*pi*100*2*pi*100
s2 +2*0.7*2*pi*100s+2*pi*100*2*pi*100

1
O/P Rate

Gyro Dynamics

Fig.4 Simulink Model of Subsystem Gyro Dynamics & Band Limited White

The tuned parameters of the PID controllers is given in table I.

The effectiveness of the controller for the system response in
terms of: Objective of line of sight tracking control system is
achieved by the complete Simulink model shown in figure 4.8.
The robust control system design tuned parameter of the
tracking and stabilization PID controller with filter coefficient
given in table 4.5.Servo system with gimbal payload having
resonance introduce into servo mechanism which produce
small periodic driving force into mechanical system because
resonance having tendency to oscillate with greater amplitude
at some frequency by which system show oscillatory response
Fig.1 Block diagram of LOS Tracking Control System
Simulink model of line of sight stabilization and tracking to compensate the oscillation to provide line of sight
closed loop control system is shown in figure 2. The stabilization we have to use stabilization controller into forward
stabilization PID controller having the gain coefficients Kps, path to compensate the resonance. The moving object is treated
Kis and Kds and tracking controller gain parameter is Kpt, Kit as disturbance and introduced into the system with coulomb
and viscous friction and compared with the angular
and Kdt.

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International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) Volume 15 Number 8 Sep 2014
displacement of the
moving target. The tracking
controller gives the positive movement of bore sight with the
help of servomechanism and system is again stabilized by the
negative feedback loop.
TABLE I
SELECTED PARAMETERS OF PID STABILIZATION TRACKING
CONTROLLER

PID Tracking Controller

Parameter
Proportional Action Gain
(Kpt)
Integral Action Gain (Kit)
Derivative Action Gain
(Kdt)
PID Stabilization
Controller Parameter
Proportional Action Gain
(Kps)

Gain
20
5

Fig.6 Bode Response of LOS Stabilization with Tracking PID Controller

The LOS stabilization and tracking system using PID

controllers are optimized using optimized simplex pattern
search method genetic algorithm taking 5000 iterations. The
optimized time response characteristics is shown in figure 7.
The result shows that settling time 0.11 seconds, rise time
0.025 seconds and peak overshoot 7.53 percent.

0.4

39.42

Integral Action Gain (Kis)

12.81

Derivative Action Gain

(Kds)

30.42

IV. RESULTS, AND DISCUSSIONS

The line of sight stabilization and tracking control system is
implemented with the help of PID controller and lead or lag
Compensator. The optimised PID controller response is
compared with lead or lag compensator. The responses of
effectiveness of the controller in terms of controller
parameters. The time response characteristics of LOS
stabilization control system using PID controller. The result
shows the rise time 0.00567 sec., settling time 0.0311 sec.,
and peak overshoot 22.8 percent. The time response
characteristics of LOS stabilization and tracking control
system using PID controller is shown in figure 5. The result
shows that the settling time 3.45 seconds, rise time 0.268
seconds and peak overshoot 28 percent. Line of sight
stabilization and tracking control system controlled by PID
controllers used in the tracking and stabilization loop, the
bode frequency response is shown in figure 6 the result shows
gain margin 50.8 dB and phase margin 72.5 degree in the line
of sight stabilization and tracking control system having
bandwidth in the range of 3.7 Hz.

Fig.7 Step Response of Optimized PID Controller LOS with Tracking System
TABLE II
PARAMETER OF OPTIMIZED PID AND PID CONTROLLER

Parameter

PID

Optimized PID

Rise Time tr

0.27

0.025

Settling Time t s

3.45

0.11

Peak Overshoot Mp

1.28

7.53

Peak Time tp

0.65

0.056

Gain Margin G.M.

50.8

40.2

Phase Margin P.M.

72.5

132

The optimized response is achieved as compared to tuned

response of PID controllers is better. The stabilization loop
optimized controller parameter are Kps=2.10180179690939e10,
Kis
=
6.28833377115443e-15
and
Kds
=
7.83994856114218e-08 with filter coefficient 0.0035 and
tracking loop PID optimized gain controller parameter Kpt = 2545008843229.17, Kit = - 1911220082395.12, and Kdt = 341602568351.156 with filter coefficient 123.745.The bode
frequency response characteristics of LOS stabilization with
tracking control system is shown in figure 8. The result shows
that gain margin 40.2 dB and phase margin 132 degree and
bandwidth in the range of 13.7 Hz.
Fig.5 Step Response of LOS Stabilization with Tracking PID Controller

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International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) Volume 15 Number 8 Sep 2014

[4]

[5]

[6]

Fig.8 Bode Response of Optimized PID Controller LOS with Tracking

System

V. CONCLUSION
Non-linear behaviour of line of sight stabilization and tracking
control system introduces a challenge for the design of low
bandwidth, faster response and negligible disturbances. In the
real time control system application which is having large
environmental disturbances, resulting undesired echoes should
be reduced. The present work gives an overview of PID and
lead or lag controller. Besides these controllers present work
optimized through the pattern search using genetic algorithm
method. In this system PID controllers are used in the
stabilization and tracking loop respectively and the challenge
in system is to tune both the controllers simultaneously. To
achieve the response of tracking of moving target controller
parameters are evaluated in term of rise time, settling time and
percentage of peak overshoot. To overcome the limitation of
PID controller, lead or lag controller has been designed.
Simulation response of lead or lag controller shows that it
reduces the settling time, rise time as compare to PID
controller. To achieve the further improvement of PID
controller optimized by using the pattern search genetic
algorithm method. The simulation results shows that it
improve the step response of the system reduces the settling
time, rise time and bandwidth of the system.

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

VI.
[1]

[2]

[3]

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