A Closest Point Algorithm for Parametric Surfaces with
Global Uniform Asymptotic Stability
Volkan Patoglu and R. Brent Gillespie
Submitted January 2005, IEEE Transactions on Robotics
We present an algorithm that determines the point on a convex parametric surface
patch that lies closest to a given (possibly moving) point. Any initial point
belonging to the surface patch converges to the closest point (which might
itself be moving) without ever leaving the patch. The algorithm renders the
patch invariant and is globally uniformly asymptotically stable. The algorithm
is based on a control problem formulation and solution via a switching
controller and common control Lyapunov function. Analytic limits of performance
are available, delineating values for control gains needed to out-run motion
(and shape) and preserve convergence under discretization. Together with a
top-level switching algorithm based on Voronoi diagrams, the closest point
algorithm treats parametric models formed by tiling together convex surface
patches. Simulation results are used to demonstrate invariance of the surface
patch, global convergence, limits of performance, relationships between low-
evel and toplevel switching, and a comparison to competing Newton-iteration
based methods.