A Closed-Form Control for Safety Under Input Constraints Using a Composition of Control Barrier Functions

Abstract: We present a closed-form optimal control that satisfies both safety constraints (i.e., state constraints) and input constraints (e.g., actuator limits) using a composition of multiple control barrier functions (CBFs). This main contribution is obtained through the combination of several ideas. First, we present a method for constructing a single relaxed control barrier function (R-CBF) from multiple CBFs, which can have different relative degrees. The construction relies on a log-sum-exponential soft-minimum function and yields an R-CBF whose zero-superlevel set is a subset of the intersection of the zero-superlevel sets of all CBFs used in the composition. Next, we use the soft-minimum R-CBF to construct a closed-form control that is optimal with respect to a quadratic cost subject to the safety constraints. Finally, we use the soft-minimum R-CBF to develop a closed-form optimal control that not only guarantees safety but also respects input constraints. The key elements in developing this novel control include: the introduction of the control dynamics, which allow the input constraints to be transformed into controller-state constraints; the use of the soft-minimum R-CBF to compose multiple safety and input CBFs, which have different relative degrees; and the development of a desired surrogate control (i.e., a desired input to the control dynamics). We demonstrate these new control approaches in simulation on a nonholonomic ground robot.