“Optimum Linear Preview Control With Application to Vehicle Suspension”—Revisited

Abstract

Preview control of vehicle suspension as proposed by Bender is studied from the viewpoint of discrete optimal control. Improvements of the suspension system similar to those observed by Bender (reduction of acceleration and suspension clearance space) are rediscovered. The structure of the preview controller derived in this paper is clear, and is suited for practical use. The formulation and solution of a class of discrete optimal finite preview problems are given in a general form. Thus they apply not only to the suspension problem but also to other problems in which preview is possible. A comparison of Bender’s solution with the present solution is provided along with acceleration versus clearance space tradeoff information.