Multi-Objective Optimization for Thrust Allocation of Dynamic Positioning Ship

Thrust allocation (TA) plays a critical role in the dynamic positioning system (DPS). The task of TA is to allocate the rotational speed and angle of each thruster to generate the generalized control forces. Most studies take TA as a single-objective optimization problem; however, TA is a multi-objective optimization problem (MOP), which needs to satisfy multiple conflicting allocation objectives simultaneously. This study proposes an improved multi-objective particle swarm optimization (IMOPSO) method to deal with the non-convex MOP of TA. The objective functions of reducing the allocation error, and minimizing the power consumption and the tear-and-wear of thrusters under physical constraints, are established and solved via MOPSO. To enhance the global seeking ability, the improved mutation strategy combined with the roulette wheel mechanism is adopted. It is shown through test data that IMOPSO converges better than multi-objective algorithms such as MOPSO and nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II). Simulations are conducted for a DP ship with two propeller–rudder combinations. The simulation results with the single-objective PSO algorithm show that the proposed IMOPSO algorithm reduces thrust allocation errors in the three directions of surge, sway, and yaw by 48.48%, 39.64%, and 15.02%, respectively, and reduces power consumption by 44.53%, which demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.