Cooperative source seeking via gradient estimation and formation control (Part 2)

Abstract

In this paper and its companion paper [16], the problem of cooperative source seeking by a formation of mobile agents is considered. Each agent is equipped with position and signal strength measurement sensors; their task is to find the maximum of the scalar field. Agents exchange information with neighboring agents through a communication network. In the first paper, a distributed gradient estimation for each agent and a decentralized navigation controller for single- and double-integrator models are presented. In this paper, that approach is extended to general linear time-invariant (LTI) models. Our approach is verified using formation flight simulation for quad-rotor helicopters and stability conditions are provided.