Feasibility of Piezoelectric Actuation with a Reduced Number of Drivers: A Periodic Control Approach

The problem of controlling several piezoelectric actuators using a smaller number of power drivers is considered. A multiplexed arrangement is examined where power and control are applied cyclically to subsets of actuators, introducing periodicity in the dynamics of the controlled plant. A model for the multiplexed scheme along with a periodic quadratic regulator are presented, as well as an observer-based arrangement. The feasibility of the proposed technique is demonstrated experimentally by using a single power driver to control a cantilever beam fitted with three piezoelectric actuators.