Fixed‐time output‐feedback consensus tracking control for second‐order multiagent systems

This paper is concerned with the problem of fixed‐time consensus tracking control for a class of second‐order multiagent systems under an undirected communication graph. A distributed output‐feedback fixed‐time consensus tracking control scheme is proposed to make the states of all individual agents simultaneously track a time‐varying reference state even when the reference state is available only to a subset of the group members and only output measurements are available for feedback. Homogeneous Lyapunov function and homogeneity property are employed to show that the control scheme can guarantee the consensus tracking errors converging the origin in finite time which is bounded by a fixed constant independent of initial conditions. Numerical simulations are carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control law.     

Event‐triggered predictive control for networked control systems with network‐induced delays and packet dropouts

This paper presents an event‐triggered predictive control approach to stabilize a networked control system subject to network‐induced delays and packet dropouts, for which the states are not measurable. An observer‐based event generator is first designed according to the deviation between the state estimation at the current time and the one at the last trigger time. A predictive control scheme with a selector is then proposed to compensate the effect of network‐induced delays and packet dropouts. Sufficient conditions for stabilization of the networked control system are derived by solving linear matrix inequalities and the corresponding gains of the controller and the observer are obtained. It is shown that the event‐triggered implementation is able to realize reduction in communication and save bandwidth resources of feedback channel networks. A simulation example of an inverted pendulum model illustrates the efficacy of the proposed scheme.     

Robust event‐triggered model predictive control for cyber‐physical systems under denial‐of‐service attacks

This paper investigates the resilient control problem for constrained continuous‐time cyber‐physical systems subject to bounded disturbances and denial‐of‐service (DoS) attacks. A sampled‐data robust model predictive control law with a packet‐based transmission scheduling is taken advantage to compensate for the loss of the control data during the intermittent DoS intervals, and an event‐triggered control strategy is designed to save communication and computation resources. The robust constraint satisfaction and the stability of the closed‐loop system under DoS attacks are proved. In contrast to the existing studies that guarantee the system under DoS attacks is input‐to‐state stable, the predicted input error caused by the system constraints can be dealt with by the input‐to‐state practical stability framework. Finally, a simulation example is performed to verify the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed strategy.     

Self‐triggered state‐feedback control of linear plants under bounded disturbances

This paper addresses the problem of self‐triggered state‐feedback control for linear plants under bounded disturbances. In a self‐triggered scenario, the controller is allowed to choose when the next sampling time should occur and does so based on the current sampled state and on a priori knowledge about the plant. Besides comparing some existing approaches to self‐triggered control available in the literature, we propose a new self‐triggered control strategy that allows for the consideration of model‐based controllers, a class of controllers that includes as a special case static controllers with a zero‐order hold of the last state measurement. We show that our proposed control strategy renders the solutions of the closed‐loop system globally uniformly ultimately bounded. We further show that there exists a minimum time interval between sampling times and provide a method for computing a lower bound for it. An illustrative example with numerical results is included in order to compare the existing strategies and the proposed one. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A nonlinear state‐feedback state‐feedforward tracking control strategy for a boiler‐turbine unit

A boiler‐turbine unit is a primary module for coal‐fired power plants, and an effective automatic control system is needed for the boiler‐turbine unit to track the load changes with the drum water level kept within an acceptable range. The aim of this paper is to develop a nonlinear tracking controller for the Bell‐Åström boiler‐turbine unit. A Takagi‐Sugeno fuzzy control system is introduced for the nonlinear modeling of the Bell‐Åström boiler‐turbine unit. Based on the Takagi‐Sugeno fuzzy models, a nonlinear tracking controller is developed, and the proposed control law is comprised of a state‐feedforward term and a state‐feedback term. The stability of the closed‐loop control system is analyzed on the basis of Lyapunov stability theory via the linear matrix inequality approach and Schur complement. Moreover, model uncertainties are also considered, and it is proved that with the proposed control law the tracking error converges to zero. To assess the performance of the proposed nonlinear state‐feedback state‐feedforward control strategy, a nonlinear model predictive control strategy and a linear strategy are presented as comparisons. The effectiveness and the advantages of the proposed nonlinear state‐feedback state‐feedforward control strategy are demonstrated by simulations.     

Network‐based H∞ control for stochastic systems

This paper investigates the problem of network‐based control for stochastic plants. A new model of stochastic time‐delay systems is presented where both network‐induced delays and packet dropouts are taken into consideration for a sampled‐data network‐based control system. This model consists of two successive delay components in the state, and we solve the network‐based H_∞ control problem based on this model by a new stochastic delay system approach. The controller design for the sampled‐data systems is carried out in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, we illustrate the methodology by applying these results to an air vehicle control problem. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

H∞ fuzzy control design of discrete‐time nonlinear active fault‐tolerant control systems

This paper is concerned with the problem of H_∞ fuzzy controller synthesis for a class of discrete‐time nonlinear active fault‐tolerant control systems (AFTCSs) in a stochastic setting. The Takagi and Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy model is employed to exactly represent a nonlinear AFTCS. For this AFTCS, two random processes with Markovian transition characteristics are introduced to model the failure process of system components and the fault detection and isolation (FDI) decision process used to reconfigure the control law, respectively. The random behavior of the FDI process is conditioned on the state of the failure process. A non‐parallel distributed compensation (non‐PDC) scheme is adopted for the design of the fault‐tolerant control laws. The resulting closed‐loop fuzzy system is the one with two Markovian jump parameters. Based on a stochastic fuzzy Lyapunov function (FLF), sufficient conditions for the stochastic stability and H_∞ disturbance attenuation of the closed‐loop fuzzy system are first derived. A linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach to the fuzzy control design is then developed. Moreover, a suboptimal fault‐tolerant H_∞ fuzzy controller is given in the sense of minimizing the level of disturbance attenuation. Finally, a simulation example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed design method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Real‐time hybrid control of electrohydraulic active suspension

Electrohydraulic actuators are an attractive choice for active suspension, because these systems provide a high power‐to‐weight ratio. However, their dynamics are highly nonlinear. In addition, the use of one simple controller for both position and force is complicated, because there is a compromise between them in the case of active suspension. Most existing controllers do not efficiently fulfill the requirements, because only one state variable is considered. In this paper, we address these problems by developing a new hybrid controller for both position and force and implementing it in a real‐time test bench. Our goal is to control the vertical position of the passenger seat while tracking the force transmitted to passengers and keeping it within tolerable and comfortable limits. Therefore, the proposed controller is a combination of two controllers. Its flexible structure redirects the control signal to control the proper controlled state variable. The real‐time results of the newly designed hybrid controller are compared with those obtained using a classical proportional integral derivative controller, because this is the most widely used controller in the industry. As expected, the proposed controller demonstrates better performance in real‐time operation. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Minimum time control of large‐scale boolean control networks with constraints

The minimum time control that steers a large‐scale Boolean control network with constraints from an initial state to a given state is investigated. This problem is studied under the partition of the large‐scale Boolean control networks. Based on that, the problem is converted to finding the minimum time control for each subnetwork. Hence, the minimum time control for small size Boolean control networks with constraints is considered firstly. Then, a method to solve the problem for large‐scale Boolean control networks with constraints is presented. Finally, a numerical example on T‐cell receptor kinetics is given to show the effectiveness of the main results.     

Robust H∞ output‐feedback control of retarded state‐multiplicative stochastic systems

Linear, state‐delayed, continuous‐time systems are considered with both stochastic and norm‐bounded deterministic uncertainties in the state–space model. The problem of robust dynamic H_∞ output‐feedback control is solved, for the stationary case, via the input–output approach where the system is replaced by a nonretarded system with additional deterministic norm‐bounded uncertainties. A delay‐dependent result is obtained which involves the solution of a simple linear matrix inequality. In this problem, a cost function is defined which is the expected value of the standard H_∞ performance cost with respect to the stochastic parameters. A practical example taken from the field of guidance control is given that demonstrates the applicability of the theory. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Closed‐form solution to finite‐horizon suboptimal control of nonlinear systems

Finite‐horizon optimal control of input‐affine nonlinear systems with fixed final time is considered in this study. It is first shown that the associated Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman partial differential equation to the problem is reducible to a state‐dependent differential Riccati equation after some approximations. With a truncation in the control equation, a near optimal solution to the problem is obtained, and the global onvergence properties of the closed‐loop system are analyzed. Afterwards, an approximate method, called Finite‐horizon State‐Dependent Riccati Equation (Finite‐SDRE), is suggested for solving the differential Riccati equation, which renders the origin a locally exponentially stable point. The proposed method provides online feedback solution for controlling different initial conditions. Finally, through some examples, the performance of the resulting controller in finite‐horizon control is analyzed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Output feedback model predictive control of uncertain norm‐bounded linear systems

A constrained output feedback model predictive control (MPC) scheme for uncertain Norm‐Bounded discrete‐time linear systems is presented. This scheme extends recent results achieved by the authors under full‐state availability to the more interesting case of incomplete and noisy state information. The design procedure consists of an off‐line step where a state feedback and an asymptotic observer (dynamic primal controller) are designed via bilinear matrix inequalities and used to robustly stabilize a suitably augmented state plant. The on‐line moving horizon procedure adds N free control moves to the action of the primal controller which are computed by solving a linear matrix inequality optimization problem whose numerical complexity grows up only linearly with the control horizon N. The effectiveness of the proposed MPC strategy is illustrated by a numerical example. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Robust passivity‐based control of switched‐reluctance motors

We propose a state‐feedback controller for switched‐reluctance motors as a preliminary step toward the solution of the sensorless control problem (without measurement of rotor variables). We establish global exponential stability. Furthermore, our controller renders the closed‐loop system robust to external disturbances, that is, input‐to‐state stable. Although there exist some works on sensorless control of switched‐reluctance motors, these consist mainly of ad hoc solutions without theoretical foundation. The few theoretically validated results in the literature are established under more stringent conditions such as knowledge of the load torque. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Event‐triggered finite‐time reliable control for nonhomogeneous Markovian jump systems

This article investigates the event‐triggered finite‐time reliable control problem for a class of Markovian jump systems with time‐varying transition probabilities, time‐varying actuator faults, and time‐varying delays. First, a Luenberger observer is constructed to estimate the unmeasured system state. Second, by applying an event‐triggered strategy from observer to controller, the frequency of transmission is reduced. Third, based on linear matrix inequality technique and stochastic finite‐time analysis, event‐triggered observer‐based controllers are designed and sufficient conditions are given, which ensure the finite‐time boundedness of the closed‐loop system in an H_∞ sense. Finally, an example is utilized to show the effectiveness of the proposed controller design approach.     

Robust delay‐dependent sliding mode control for uncertain time‐delay systems

In this paper, the problem of robust sliding mode control for a class of linear continuous time‐delay systems is studied. The parametric uncertainty considered is a modelling error type of mismatch appearing in the state. A delay‐dependent sufficient condition for the existence of linear sliding surfaces is developed in terms of linear matrix inequality, based on which the corresponding reaching motion controller is designed. A numerical example is given to show the potential of the proposed techniques. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tracking control for sampled‐data systems with uncertain time‐varying sampling intervals and delays

In this paper, a solution to the approximate tracking problem of sampled‐data systems with uncertain, time‐varying sampling intervals and delays is presented. Such time‐varying sampling intervals and delays can typically occur in the field of networked control systems. The uncertain, time‐varying sampling and network delays cause inexact feedforward, which induces a perturbation on the tracking error dynamics, for which a model is presented in this paper. Sufficient conditions for the input‐to‐state stability (ISS) of the tracking error dynamics with respect to this perturbation are given. Hereto, two analysis approaches are developed: a discrete‐time approach and an approach in terms of delay impulsive differential equations. These ISS results provide bounds on the steady‐state tracking error as a function of the plant properties, the control design and the network properties. Moreover, it is shown that feedforward preview can significantly improve the tracking performance and an online extremum seeking (nonlinear programming) algorithm is proposed to online estimate the optimal preview time. The results are illustrated on a mechanical motion control example showing the effectiveness of the proposed strategy and providing insight into the differences and commonalities between the two analysis approaches. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An LMI approach to output‐feedback‐guaranteed cost control for uncertain time‐delay systems

This paper considers the problem of output‐feedback‐guaranteed cost controller design for uncertain time‐delay systems. The uncertainty in the system is assumed to be norm‐bounded and time‐varying. The time‐delay is allowed to enter the state and the measurement equations. A linear quadratic cost function is considered as a performance measure for the closed‐loop system. Necessary and sufficient conditions are provided for the construction of a guaranteed cost controller. These conditions are given in terms of the feasibility of LMIs which depend on a positive definite matrix and a scaling variable. A numerical algorithm is developed to search for a full order dynamic output‐feedback controller which minimizes the cost bound. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Robust optimal control of time‐delay systems based on Razumikhin theorem

This paper presents an optimal control approach for the general robust control design problem of linear time delay systems, which considers parameter uncertainties as well as state delay. It is shown that the robust control problem can be transformed into an optimal control problem with the amouof plant uncertainties involved in the performance index. A stability criterion has been developed under which the uncertain dynamical system can not only achieve stability, but also acquire the guaranteed level of performance for regulation. A suitable linear state feedback control law is also characterized via Lyapunov stability theory to ensure performance robustness of the closed‐loop system. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society     

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.     

Passivity‐based control for large‐signal stability of high‐order switching converters

This article presents a new passivity‐based control law that stabilizes the output voltage of a high‐order DC‐DC converter. Such nonlinear control law assures robust large‐signal stability, provides zero steady‐state error despite uncertainty in converter parameters and has enough degree of freedom to satisfy the usual transient specifications of DC‐DC converters. This new integral control is derived in three steps. First, a static law is obtained. Second, a positive semidefinite storage function is synthesized to guarantee zero steady‐state error of the output voltage. Finally, the storage functions of the first two steps are combined to derive the new control law for high‐order DC‐DC converters. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society