Self-learning fuzzy controllers based on temporal backpropagation

A generalized control strategy that enhances fuzzy controllers with self-learning capability for achieving prescribed control objectives in a near-optimal manner is presented. This methodology, termed temporal backpropagation, is model-sensitive in the sense that it can deal with plants that can be represented in a piecewise-differentiable format, such as difference equations, neural networks, GMDH structures, and fuzzy models. Regardless of the numbers of inputs and outputs of the plants under consideration, the proposed approach can either refine the fuzzy if-then rules of human experts or automatically derive the fuzzy if-then rules if human experts are not available. The inverted pendulum system is employed as a testbed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme and the robustness of the acquired fuzzy controller.