PETRONUS. A Coherence-Preserving Adaptive Control Architecture

This work presents PETRONUS, a coherence-preserving architectural framework for adaptive and autonomous systems operating over long horizons. PETRONUS reframes adaptation as a structural process rather than a purely performance-driven one, explicitly addressing the accumulation of irreversible deformation (“drift”) that undermines long-term stability in conventional controllers and learning systems. The architecture integrates three tightly coupled layers: the Directional–Deformation–Dissipation (D³A) framework for structural oversight of adaptation; the ΔE-CAS-T multi-loop coherence regulation system; and a Temporal Structural Controller (TSC) that supervises long-horizon viability via drift budgeting and internal time scaling. Together, these components regulate directionality, hidden rotational effects, coherence, coupling, and regime transitions, enabling agents to adapt without loss of identity or alignment. PETRONUS is substrate-agnostic and applicable to robotics, AI, cyber-physical systems, and distributed adaptive agents. This document is intentionally architectural in scope and does not disclose proprietary algorithms or implementation details. Certain mechanisms are reserved for collaborative scientific work under strict non-disclosure agreements.