Delay‐range‐dependent control of nonlinear time‐delay systems under input saturation

This paper describes a delay‐range‐dependent local state feedback controller synthesis approach providing estimation of the region of stability for nonlinear time‐delay systems under input saturation. By employing a Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional, properties of nonlinear functions, local sector condition and Jensen's inequality, a sufficient condition is derived for stabilization of nonlinear systems with interval delays varying within a range. Novel solutions to the delay‐range‐dependent and delay‐dependent stabilization problems for linear and nonlinear time‐delay systems, respectively, subject to input saturation are derived as specific scenarios of the proposed control strategy. Also, a delay‐rate‐independent condition for control of nonlinear systems in the presence of input saturation with unknown delay‐derivative bound information is established. And further, a robust state feedback controller synthesis scheme ensuring L₂ gain reduction from disturbance to output is devised to address the problem of the stabilization of input‐constrained nonlinear time‐delay systems with varying interval lags. The proposed design conditions can be solved using linear matrix inequality tools in connection with conventional cone complementary linearization algorithms. Simulation results for an unstable nonlinear time‐delay network and a large‐scale chemical reactor under input saturation and varying interval time‐delays are analyzed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Input‐to‐state stability of min‐max MPC scheme for nonlinear time‐varying delay systems

This paper studies the robustness problem of the min–max model predictive control (MPC) scheme for constrained nonlinear time‐varying delay systems subject to bounded disturbances. The notion of the input‐to‐state stability (ISS) of nonlinear time‐delay systems is introduced. Then by using the Lyapunov–Krasovskii method, a delay‐dependent sufficient condition is derived to guarantee input‐to‐state practical stability (ISpS) of the closed‐loop system by way of nonlinear matrix inequalities (NLMI). In order to lessen the online computational demand, the non‐convex min‐max optimization problem is then converted to a minimization problem with linear matrix inequality (LMI) constraints and a suboptimal MPC algorithm is provided. Finally, an example of a truck‐trailer is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed results. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society     

Distributed model predictive control for polytopic uncertain systems subject to actuator saturation

In this paper, we present a distributed model predictive control (MPC) algorithm for polytopic uncertain systems subject to actuator saturation. The global system is decomposed into several subsystems. A set invariance condition for polytopic uncertain system with input saturation is identified and a min–max distributed MPC strategy is proposed. The distributed MPC controller is designed by solving a linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) optimization problem. An iterative algorithm is developed for making coordination among subsystems. Case studies are carried out to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.     

Model predictive tracking control for a linear system under time‐varying input constraints

In this paper, we propose a tracking control law for a linear dynamical system under time‐varying input constraints. The proposed control law consists of a dual‐mode model predictive control (MPC) law and a target recalculation mechanism. As the terminal controller of the dual‐mode MPC, we propose a saturation‐level‐dependent gain‐scheduled feedback control law that ensures closed‐loop stability against arbitrary change of the position limit of the actuators. We also present conditions that guarantee feasibility and stability of the control algorithm under time‐varying input constraints. The control algorithm is reduced to an online optimization problem under linear matrix inequality constraints. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exponential stabilization for nonlinear coupled dynamical systems via impulsive and sampled‐data control with input constraints

In this paper, exponential stabilization for nonlinear coupled dynamical systems by considering sampled‐data controller and impulsive controller with input constraints is investigated. Based on polytopic representation approach, some linear matrix inequalities are established to guarantee local exponential stabilization of nonlinear coupled dynamical systems. Moreover, by using polytopic differential inclusion, for the case of the partial input saturation involving in the impulsive controller, we also obtain several sufficient conditions ensuring local exponential stabilization. Finally, three examples are presented to show the effectiveness of theoretical analysis.     

Discrete‐time network‐based control under scheduling and actuator constraints

This paper is concerned with the solution bounds for discrete‐time networked control systems via delay‐dependent Lyapunov–Krasovskii methods. Solution bounds are widely used for systems with input saturation caused by actuator saturation or by the quantizers with saturation. The time‐delay approach has been developed recently for the stabilization of continuous‐time networked control systems under the round‐robin protocol and under a weighted try‐once‐discard protocol, respectively. Actuator saturation has not been taken into account. In the present paper, for the first time, the time‐delay approach is extended to the stability analysis of the discrete‐time networked control systems under both scheduling protocols and actuators saturation. The communication delays are allowed to be larger than the sampling intervals. A novel Lyapunov‐based method is presented for finding the domain of attraction. Polytopic uncertainties in the system model can be easily included in our analysis. The efficiency of the time‐delay approach is illustrated on the example of a cart–pendulum system. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Local input‐to‐state stabilization and ℓ ∞ ‐induced norm control of discrete‐time quadratic systems

This paper addresses the problems of local stabilization and control of open‐loop unstable discrete‐time quadratic systems subject to persistent magnitude bounded disturbances and actuator saturation. Firstly, for some polytopic region of the state‐space containing the origin, a method is derived to design a static nonlinear state feedback control law that achieves local input‐to‐state stabilization with a guaranteed stability region under nonzero initial conditions and persistent bounded disturbances. Secondly, the stabilization method is extended to deliver an optimized upper bound on the ? _∞ ‐induced norm of the closed‐loop system for a given set of persistent bounded disturbances. Thirdly, the stabilization and ? _∞ designs are adapted to cope with actuator saturation by means of a generalized sector bound constraint. The proposed controller designs are tailored via a finite set of state‐dependent linear matrix inequalities. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the potentials of the proposed control design methods. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two‐stage stability control for strict‐feedback systems with input delays and input nonlinear uncertainties

In this paper, a two‐stage control procedure is proposed for stabilization of a class of strict‐feedback systems with unknown constant time delays and nonlinear uncertainties in the input. A nominal controller is first designed to compensate input time delays without considering input nonlinear uncertainties. Extended from backstepping algorithm, input delay compensation is realized by means of predicted states that are computed through integration of cascaded system dynamics, making the nominal closed‐loop system asymptotically stable. Based on the nominal controller presented for the input delay system, a multi‐timescale system is subsequently developed to estimate the unknown input nonlinearity and make the estimate approach the nominal control input as fast as possible. It is proved that the proposed control scheme can make states of the strict‐feedback systems converge to zero and all the signals of the closed‐loop systems are guaranteed to be bounded in the presence of input time delays and nonlinear uncertainties. Simulation verification is carried out to illuminate the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.     

A robust least squares based approach to min‐max model predictive control

This article deals with the model predictive control (MPC) of linear, time‐invariant discrete‐time polytopic (LTIDP) systems. The 2‐fold aim is to simplify the treatment of complex issues like stability and feasibility analysis of MPC in the presence of parametric uncertainty as well as to reduce the complexity of the relative optimization procedure. The new approach is based on a two degrees of freedom (2DOF) control scheme, where the output r(k) of the feedforward input estimator (IE) is used as input forcing the closed‐loop system ∑_f. ∑_f is the feedback connection of an LTIDP plant ∑_p with an LTI feedback controller ∑_g. Both cases of plants with measurable and unmeasurable state are considered. The task of ∑_g is to guarantee the quadratic stability of ∑_f, as well as the fulfillment of hard constraints on some physical variables for any input r(k) satisfying an “a priori” determined admissibility condition. The input r(k) is computed by the feedforward IE through the on‐line minimization of a worst‐case finite‐horizon quadratic cost functional and is applied to ∑_f according to the usual receding horizon strategy. The on‐line constrained optimization problem is here simplified, reducing the number of the involved constraints and decision variables. This is obtained modeling r(k) as a B‐spline function, which is known to admit a parsimonious parametric representation. This allows us to reformulate the minimization of the worst‐case cost functional as a box‐constrained robust least squares estimation problem, which can be efficiently solved using second‐order cone programming.     

Novel MPC‐Based Fault Tolerant Tracking Control Against Sensor Faults

The problem of active fault‐tolerant tracking control with control input and system output constraints is studied for a class of discrete‐time systems subject to sensor faults. A time‐varying fault‐tolerant observer is first developed to estimate the real system state from the faulty sensor output and control input signals. Then by using the estimated state at each time step, a model predictive control (MPC)‐based fault‐tolerant tracking control scheme is presented to guarantee the desired tracking performance and the given input and output constraints on the faulty system. In comparison with many existing fault‐tolerant MPC methods, its main contribution is that the proposed state estimator is designed by the simple and online numerical computation to tolerate the possible sensor faults, so that the regular MPC algorithm without fault information can be adopted for the online calculation of fault‐tolerant control signal. The potential recursive infeasibility and computational complexity due to the faults are avoided in the scheme. Additionally, the closed‐loop stability of the post‐fault system is discussed. Simulative results of an electric throttle control system verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Robust event‐triggered model predictive control for constrained linear continuous system

Model predictive control (MPC) is capable to deal with multiconstraint systems in real control processes; however, the heavy computation makes it difficult to implement. In this paper, a dual‐mode control strategy based on event‐triggered MPC (ETMPC) and state‐feedback control for continuous linear time‐invariant systems including control input constraints and bounded disturbances is developed. First, the deviation between the actual state trajectory and the optimal state trajectory is computed to set an event‐triggered mechanism and reduce the computational load of MPC. Next, the dual‐mode control strategy is designed to stabilize the system. Both recursive feasibility and stability of the strategy are guaranteed by constructing a feasible control sequence and deducing the relationship of parameters, especially the inter‐event time and the upper bound of the disturbances. Finally, the theoretical results are supported by numerical simulation. In addition, the effects of the parameters are discussed by simulation, which gives guidance to balance computational load and control performance.     

Delay‐dependent anti‐windup strategy for linear systems with saturating inputs and delayed outputs

This paper addresses the problem of the determination of stability regions for linear systems with delayed outputs and subject to input saturation, through anti‐windup strategies. A method for synthesizing anti‐windup gains aiming at maximizing a region of admissible states, for which the closed‐loop asymptotic stability and the given controlled output constraints are respected, is proposed. Based on the modelling of the closed‐loop system resulting from the controller plus the anti‐windup loop as a linear time‐delay system with a dead‐zone nonlinearity, constructive delay‐dependent stability conditions are formulated by using both quadratic and Lure Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals. Numerical procedures based on the solution of some convex optimization problems with LMI constraints are proposed for computing the anti‐windup gain that leads to the maximization of an associated stability region. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is illustrated by some numerical examples. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reduced order model predictive control for constrained discrete‐time linear systems

A reduced order model predictive control (MPC) is discussed for constrained discrete‐time linear systems. By employing a decomposition method for finite‐horizon linear systems, an MPC law is obtained from a reduced order optimization problem. The decomposition enables us to construct pairs of initial state and control sequence which have large influence on system responses, and it also characterizes the standard LQ control. The MPC law is obtained based on a combination of the LQ control and dominant input sequences over the prediction horizon. The proposed MPC method is illustrated with numerical examples. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Parametric Absolute Stabilization for Interconnected Lurie Time‐Delay Systems with Polytopic Uncertainty

The paper considers the parametric absolute stabilization for interconnected Lurie time‐delay systems with polytopic uncertainty. The concept of parametric absolute stabilization characterizes both the existence and the stability of equilibrium in the case of uncertain parameters and reference input shift. First, the existing conditions of parametric stability and the stable region are studied by the change of the uncertain parameters and reference input based on decentralized state feedback. Then, a delay‐dependent absolute stability condition in parametric stabilization region for interconnected Lurie time‐delay systems with polytopic uncertainties is obtained through a linear matrix inequality method. Finally, an example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

PARAMETER‐DEPENDENT LYAPUNOV FUNCTION APPROACH TO STABILITY ANALYSIS AND DESIGN FOR POLYTOPIC SYSTEMS WITH INPUT SATURATION

This paper is devoted to stability analysis and synthesis of uncertain systems subject to input saturation. A new parameter‐dependent Lyapunov function analyzing approach is proposed to reduce the conservatism in stability analysis for the polytopic systems subject to input saturation. Some new stability conditions and a gain‐scheduling controller design method are then developed by the LMI optimization based approach. Numerical examples are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design approach.     

Improved delay‐dependent stabilization of time‐delay systems with actuator saturation

This paper addresses the controller synthesis problem of linear time‐delay systems subjected to saturating control. Delay‐dependent regional stabilization criteria are derived based on Lyapunov–Krasovskii approach by using both the polytopic or dead‐zone representation of the saturation function. The main contribution of the paper lies in developing less conservative convex criterion in terms of LMIs to obtain superior results. On the basis of the derived stabilization criterion, an optimization problem is defined to compute the stabilizing state feedback gains with an aim to maximize the stabilizing region while guaranteeing the asymptotic stability of the closed‐loop system. Considering three numerical examples, an assessment of the polytopic and dead‐zone nonlinearity approaches is made. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Robust MPC for Linear Systems with Structured Time‐Varying Uncertainties and Saturating Actuator

In this paper, a synthesis of model predictive control (MPC) algorithm is presented for uncertain systems subject to structured time‐varying uncertainties and actuator saturation. The system matrices are not exactly known, but are affine functions of a time varying parameter vector. To deal with the nonlinear actuator saturation, a saturated linear feedback control law is expressed into a convex hull of a group of auxiliary linear feedback laws. At each time instant, a state feedback law is designed to ensure the robust stability of the closed‐loop system. The robust MPC controller design problem is formulated into solving a minimization problem of a worst‐case performance index with respect to model uncertainties. The design of controller is then cast into solving a feasibility of linear matrix inequality (LMI) optimization problem. Then, the result is further extended to saturation dependent robust MPC approach by introducing additional variables. A saturation dependent quadratic function is used to reduce the conservatism of controller design. To show the effectiveness, the proposed robust MPC algorithms are applied to a continuous‐time stirred tank reactor (CSTR) process.