In this paper, we propose a method to control large-scale multiagent systems swarming in a ring. Specifically, we use a continuification-based approach that transforms the microscopic, agent-level description of the system dynamics into a macroscopic, continuum-level representation, which we employ to synthesize a control action towards a desired distribution of the agents. The continuum-level control action is then discretized at the agent-level in order to practically implement it. To confirm the effectiveness and the robustness of the proposed approach, we complement theoretical derivations with a series of numerical simulations.
We investigate the stability and robustness properties of a continuification-based strategy for the control of largescale multiagent systems. Within continuation-based strategy, one transforms the microscopic, agent-level description of the system dynamics into a macroscopic continuum-level, for which a control action can be synthesized to steer the macroscopic dynamics towards a desired distribution. Such an action is ultimately discretized to obtain a set of deployable control inputs for the agents to achieve the goal. The mathematical proof of convergence toward the desired distribution typically relies on the assumptions that no disturbance is present and that each agent possesses global knowledge of all the others' positions. Here, we analytically and numerically address the possibility of relaxing these assumptions for the case of a onedimensional system of agents moving in a ring. We offer compelling evidence in favor of the use of a continuification-based strategy when agents only possess a finite sensing capability and spatio-temporal perturbations affect the macroscopic dynamics of the ensemble. We also discuss some preliminary results about the role of an integral action in the macroscopic control solution.
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