Backup Control Barrier Functions with Memory for Online Set Expansion

Abstract

Backup control barrier functions (bCBFs) construct implicit safe sets for nonlinear systems with bounded inputs using finite-horizon predictions under a backup controller. As in model predictive control, an invariant backup set serves as a terminal set that guarantees safe continuation beyond the prediction horizon. However, reaching a small terminal set may require long prediction horizons, increasing the cost of online prediction. In this paper, we introduce an online construction that builds a certified region from sets stored along backup trajectories while keeping the prediction horizon fixed. The method stores finite collections of balls and connects each newly certified collection to the backup set or to previously stored balls. We derive conditions that guarantee forward invariance of the union of these balls and the backup set under a fixed backup controller. These conditions also ensure that every stored state reaches the backup set in finite time. The resulting union serves as an enlarged terminal set, allowing safety to be certified with shorter prediction horizons. We formulate a feasible quadratic program for safe control and prove that safety is preserved as additional certified collections are stored online. Simulations on a quadrotor demonstrate safe task completion with a shorter prediction horizon than the standard bCBF.