Adaptive Fixed-Time Control Framework for Deterministic Response of Fully Constrained Vessels with Unknown Dynamics

To achieve precise trajectory tracking for surface vessels subject to unknown dynamics, strict physical limitations, and external disturbances, this paper proposes an Adaptive Fixed-Time Control Framework that ensures a deterministic response under full constraints. First, navigation safety is guaranteed by employing a Barrier Lyapunov Function (BLF) to strictly confine vessel position states, enabling constrained position tracking without requiring prior knowledge of the desired trajectory. Second, addressing the input constraint aspect of the “full constraints” problem, a fixed-time auxiliary system is introduced to compensate for nonlinearities induced by actuator saturation, thereby maintaining control feasibility. Central to this framework is the realization of a deterministic response; by incorporating fixed-time convergence theory, the controller guarantees that velocity tracking errors converge within a predefined time bound independent of initial conditions. Furthermore, an RBF neural network combined with adaptive techniques is utilized to estimate unknown dynamics and external disturbance bounds online, enhancing robustness and safety in realistic marine environments.