SLIDING MODE OUTPUT TRACKING WITH APPLICATION TO A MULTIVARIABLE HIGH TEMPERATURE FURNACE PROBLEM

The paper describes a theoretical framework for the design of a robust multivariable output tracking controller using sliding mode concepts. The approach assumes that only measured outputs are available and uses a sliding mode observer to reconstruct estimates of the internal system states for use in a full information sliding mode control law. This scheme is applied to a control problem associated with high temperature furnaces. The paper describes the synthesis of the proposed control scheme from design through to implementation on an industrial test facility. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.