Global finite‐time stabilization for a class of high‐order switched nonlinear systems via sampled‐data control

This paper investigates the global finite‐time stabilization for a class of high‐order switched nonlinear systems via the sampled‐data output feedback control. Firstly, we design a continuous‐time output feedback controller for the nominal part via adding a power integrator technique. Based on the homogeneous theory, together with the Gronwall‐Bellman inequality, a sampled‐data output feedback controller is designed with suitable sampling periods to ensure that the closed‐loop system can be globally stabilized in finite time. In the meantime, the proposed control method can be extended to the switched nonlinear systems with an upper‐triangular growth condition. Finally, two examples are presented to illustrate the validity of the proposed control scheme.     

Robust control of nonlinear semi‐strict feedback systems using finite‐time disturbance observers

The output tracking controller design problem is dealt with for a class of nonlinear semi‐strict feedback systems in the presence of mismatched nonlinear uncertainties, external disturbances, and uncertain nonlinear virtual control coefficients of the subsystems. The controller is designed in a backstepping manner, and to avoid the shortcoming of ‘explosion of terms’, the dynamic surface control technique that employs a group of first‐order low‐pass filters is adopted. At each step of the virtual controller design, a robust feedback controller employing some effective nonlinear damping terms is designed to guarantee input‐to‐state practical stable property of the corresponding subsystem, so that the system states remain in the feasible domain. The virtual controller is enhanced by a finite‐time disturbance observer that estimates the disturbance term in a finite‐time. The properties of the composite control system are analyzed theoretically. Furthermore, by exploiting the cascaded structure of the control system, a simplified robust controller is proposed where only the first subsystem employs a disturbance observer. The performance of the proposed methods is confirmed by numerical examples. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fast terminal sliding‐mode finite‐time tracking control with differential evolution optimization algorithm using integral chain differentiator in uncertain nonlinear systems

This paper presents a fast terminal sliding‐mode tracking control for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems with unknown parameters and system states combined with time‐varying disturbances. Fast terminal sliding‐mode finite‐time tracking systems based on differential evolution algorithms incorporate an integral chain differentiator (ICD) to feedback systems for the estimation of the unknown system states. The differential evolution optimization algorithm using ICD is also applied to a tracking controller, which provides unknown parametric estimation in the limitation of unknown system states for trajectory tracking. The ICD in the tracking systems strengthens the tracking controller robustness for the disturbances by filtering noises. As a powerful finite‐time control effort, the fast terminal sliding‐mode tracking control guarantees that all tracking errors rapidly converge to the origin. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is verified via simulations, and the results exhibit high‐precision output tracking performance in uncertain nonlinear systems.     

Time‐varying input delay compensation for nonlinear systems with additive disturbance: An output feedback approach

This paper addresses the output feedback tracking control of a class of multiple‐input and multiple‐output nonlinear systems subject to time‐varying input delay and additive bounded disturbances. Based on the backstepping design approach, an output feedback robust controller is proposed by integrating an extended state observer and a novel robust controller, which uses a desired trajectory‐based feedforward term to achieve an improved model compensation and a robust delay compensation feedback term based on the finite integral of the past control values to compensate for the time‐varying input delay. The extended state observer can simultaneously estimate the unmeasurable system states and the additive disturbances only with the output measurement and delayed control input. The proposed controller theoretically guarantees prescribed transient performance and steady‐state tracking accuracy in spite of the presence of time‐varying input delay and additive bounded disturbances based on Lyapunov stability analysis by using a Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional. A specific study on a 2‐link robot manipulator is performed; based on the system model and the proposed design procedure, a suitable controller is developed, and comparative simulation results are obtained to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed control scheme.     

Global finite‐time stabilization via time‐varying output‐feedback for uncertain nonlinear systems with unknown growth rate

This paper considers the global finite‐time output‐feedback stabilization for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems. Comparing with the existing related literature, two essential obstacles exist: On the one hand, the systems in question allow serious parametric unknowns and serious time variations coupling to the unmeasurable states, which is reflected in that the systems have the unmeasurable states dependent growth with the rate being an unknown constant multiplying a known continuous function of time. On the other hand, the systems possess remarkably inherent nonlinearities, whose growth allows to be not only low‐order but especially high‐order with respect to the unmeasurable states. To effectively cope with these obstacles, we established a time‐varying output‐feedback strategy to achieve the finite‐time stabilization for the systems under investigation. First, a time‐varying state‐feedback controller is constructed by adding an integrator method, and by homogeneous domination approach, a time‐varying reduced‐order observer is designed to precisely rebuild the unmeasurable states. Then, by certainty equivalence principle, a desired time‐varying output‐feedback controller is constructed for the systems. It is shown that, as long as the involved time‐varying gain is chosen fast enough to overtake the serious parametric unknowns and the serious time variations, the output‐feedback controller renders that the closed‐loop system states converge to zero in finite time. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Trigger‐based tracking control for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems via an event‐triggered extended state observer

An event‐triggered observer‐based output feedback control issue together with triggered input is investigated for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems subject to unknown external disturbances. Two separate event‐triggered conditions are located on the measurement channel and control channel, respectively. An event‐triggered extended state observer (ETESO) is employed to estimate unmeasurable states and compensate uncertainties and disturbances in real time while it is not required for real‐time output measurement. Then, combined with backstepping method and active disturbance rejection control, an output feedback control scheme is proposed, where an event‐triggered input is developed for reducing the communication rate between the controller and the actuator. The triggered instants are determined by a time‐varying event‐triggered condition. Two simulations, including a numerical example and an permanent‐magnet motor, are illustrated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed schemes.     

Almost Disturbance Decoupling for a Class of Nonlinear Systems Subject to Time‐Delays Via Sampled‐Data Output Feedback Control

This paper considers the problem of almost disturbance decoupling (ADD) via sampled‐data output feedback control for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems subject to time‐delays. Based on output feedback domination approach, a sampled‐data output feedback controller is designed to globally stabilize the system under a lower‐triangular linear growth condition. Gronwall‐Bellman‐like inequality and inductive method are introduced to estimate the state growth in the presence of time‐delays, uncertain nonlinearities and unknown disturbances. The proposed controller can attenuate the influence of disturbances on the output to an arbitrary degree in the L₂ gain sense. Finally, simulation results show the effectiveness of the control method.     

Finite‐time tracking control for a class of nonlinear systems with multiple mismatched disturbances

This article investigates the finite‐time output tracking problem for a class of nonlinear systems with multiple mismatched disturbances. To efficiently estimate the disturbances and their derivatives, a continuous finite‐time disturbance observer (CFTDO) design method is developed. Based on the modified adding a power integrator method and CFTDO technique, a composite tracking controller is constructed such that the system output can track the desired reference signal in finite time. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.     

Reduced‐order observer‐based output‐feedback tracking control of nonlinear systems with state delay and disturbance

In this paper, we investigate the problem of output‐feedback tracking control for a class of nonlinear SISO systems in the strick‐feedback form, which are subject to both uncertain delay‐related functions and disturbances. A reduced‐order observer is first introduced to provide the estimates of the unmeasured states. Then, an output‐feedback controller is recursively designed based on the backsteppng method. By constructing an appropriate Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional, we prove that all the signals in the closed‐loop system are bounded. The tracking performance is guaranteed by suitably choosing the design parameters. Finally, a simulation example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Prespecifiable fixed‐time control for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems in strict‐feedback form

In this paper, we investigate the prespecifiable fixed‐time control problem for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems in strict‐feedback form, where the settling (convergence) time is not only bounded but also user‐assignable in advance. One of the salient features of the proposed method lies in the fact that it makes it possible to achieve any practically allowable settling time by using a simple and effective control parameter selection recipe. Both fixed‐time stabilization and fixed‐time tracking are considered for uncertain strict‐feedback systems. Firstly, by adding exponential state feedback and using fractional power integration as Lyapunov function candidate, a global stabilizing control strategy is developed. It is proved that all the system states converge to zero within prespecified fixed‐time with continuous and bounded control action. Secondly, under more general uncertain nonlinearities and external disturbances, an adaptive fixed‐time controller is derived such that the tracking error converges to a small neighborhood of zero within preassigned time. Theoretical results are also illustrated and supported by simulation studies.     

Recursive Back‐Stepping Design of An Adaptive Fuzzy Controller for Strict Output Feedback Nonlinear Systems

In this paper, a back‐stepping adaptive fuzzy controller is proposed for strict output feedback nonlinear systems. The unknown nonlinearity and external disturbances of such systems are considered. We assume that only the output of the system is available for measurement. As a result, two filters are constructed to estimate the states of strict output feedback systems. Since fuzzy systems can uniformly approximate nonlinear continuous functions to arbitrary accuracy, the adaptive fuzzy control theory combined with a tuning function scheme is developed to derive the control laws of strict output feedback systems that possess unknown functions. Moreover, the H∞ performance condition is introduced to attenuate the effect of the modeling error and external disturbances. Finally, an example is simulated in order to confirm the applicability of the proposed method.     

Passivity‐based sliding mode controller/observer for second‐order nonlinear systems

A passivity‐based sliding mode control for a class of second‐order nonlinear systems with matched disturbances is proposed in this paper. Firstly, a nonlinear sliding surface is designed using feedback passification, in which the passivity is employed to guarantee the closed‐loop system's stability. The passivity‐based controller comprising a discontinuous term guarantees globally asymptotical convergence to the sliding surface. A sliding mode‐based control law that satisfies the reaching and sliding condition is also developed. Moreover, the passivity‐based sliding mode observer is also developed to effectively estimate the system states. Compared with conventional sliding mode control, the proposed control scheme has a shorter reaching time; and hence, the system performance is less affected by disturbances, thus eliminating the need to increase the control input gain. Finally, simulation results demonstrate the validity of the proposed method.     

Robust finite‐time stabilization of a class of high‐order stochastic nonlinear systems subject to output constraint and disturbances

In this paper, the robust stabilization problem is addressed for a class of high‐order stochastic nonlinear systems with output constraints and disturbances by using finite‐time control technique. One of the features of the considered stochastic systems is that the fractional powers are allowed to be any positive odd rational numbers, rather than grater than or equal to one. By constructing a novel tan‐type barrier Lyapunov function and using the adding a power integrator technique, the explicit steps on how to construct a backstepping‐like finite‐time controller have been developed to handle the robust stabilization and output constraint. Rigorous mathematical proof shows that the system states will finite‐time converge to a small region of the origin and the output constraint can be kept. Finally, a simulation example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.     

Almost disturbance decoupling for a class of nonlinear systems via sampled‐data output feedback control

This paper addresses the problem of almost disturbance decoupling (ADD) using sampled‐data output feedback control for a class of continuous‐time nonlinear systems. Under a lower‐triangular linear growth condition, a sampled‐data output feedback controller is constructed based on the output feedback domination approach, and a Gronwall–Bellman‐like inequality is established in the presence of disturbances. Even though a sampled‐data controller is employed for easy computer implementation, the proposed controller is still able to achieve ADD under the commonly used continuous‐time requirement, that is, the disturbances' effect on the output is attenuated to an arbitrary degree of accuracy in the L₂ gain sense. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Global Practical Tracking for Nonlinear Systems With More Unknowns via Adaptive Output‐Feedback

This paper investigates the global practical tracking via adaptive output‐feedback for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems. Essentially different from the closely related literature, the system under investigation possesses unknown time‐varying control coefficients and a polynomial‐of‐output growth rate, and meanwhile, the system nonlinearities and the reference signal allow serious unknowns. For this, an adaptive observer is designed to reconstruct the system unmeasured states, where a new dynamic gain is introduced to compensate the serious unknowns in the system nonlinearities and the reference signal. Based on this and by backstepping technique, an adaptive output‐feedback controller is successfully designed, such that all the states of the closed‐loop system are bounded, and the tracking error will be prescribed sufficiently small after a finite time. A numerical simulation is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Approximate finite‐time control for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems with dynamic compensation

In this work, a new robust nonlinear feedback control method with dynamic active compensation is proposed; the active control method has been applied to an integral series of finite‐time single‐input single‐output nonlinear system with uncertainty. In further tracking the closed‐loop stability and nonlinear uncertainty, an extended state observer has been employed to solve the immeasurability and nonlinear uncertainty within a nonlinear system. A singular perturbation theory has been used to solve for the finite‐time stability of the closed‐loop system; furthermore, numerical simulations showed that the robust nonlinear feedback controller tracked the uncertainty in a nonlinear Duffing‐type oscillator and has proven the effectiveness of the approximate finite‐time control strategy proposed. By using an approximate finite‐time control approach with active compensation, the uncertainty in a nonlinear system could be accurately estimated and controlled. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adaptive finite‐time stabilization of nonlinearly parameterized systems subject to mismatching disturbances

This paper gives a first try to the finite‐time control for nonlinear systems with unknown parametric uncertainty and external disturbances. The serious uncertainties generated by unknown parameters are compensated by skillfully using an adaptive control technique. Exact knowledge of the upper bounds of the disturbances is removed by employing a disturbance observer–based control method. Then, based on the disturbance observer–based control, backstepping technique, finite‐time adaptive control, and Lyapunov stability theory, a composite adaptive state‐feedback controller is strictly designed and analyzed, which guarantees the closed‐loop system to be practically finite‐time stable. Finally, both the practical and numerical examples are presented and compared to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.     

Global output‐feedback stabilization for a class of stochastic nonlinear systems via sampled‐data control

In this paper, the global sampled‐data output‐feedback stabilization problem is considered for a class of stochastic nonlinear systems. First, based on output‐feedback domination technique and emulation approach, a systematic design procedure for sampled‐data output‐feedback controller is proposed for a class of stochastic lower‐triangular nonlinear systems. It is proved that the proposed sampled‐data output‐feedback controller will stabilize the given stochastic nonlinear system in the sense of mean square exponential stability. Because of the domination nature of the proposed control approach, it is shown that the proposed control approach can also be used to handle the global sampled‐data output‐feedback stabilization problems for a more general class of stochastic non‐triangular nonlinear systems. Finally, simulation examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Global output‐feedback stabilization for stochastic nonlinear systems: A double‐domination approach

This paper is concerned with global stabilization via output feedback for a class of stochastic nonlinear systems with time‐varying continuous output function. Under linear growth conditions, a new double‐domination method is proposed for the first time to construct an output‐feedback stabilizing controller. Different from the related results, the design of the observer is performed without using the information on the output function and nonlinearities. This paper also provides a viewpoint at the feedback stabilization to eliminate the continuous measurement error originating from inaccurate detection of system state. A simulation example is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of control strategy.     

Static output feedback sliding mode control for time‐varying delay systems with time‐delayed nonlinear disturbances

In this paper, a robust stabilization problem for a class of linear time‐varying delay systems with disturbances is studied using sliding mode techniques. Both matched and mismatched disturbances, involving time‐varying delay, are considered. The disturbances are nonlinear and have nonlinear bounds which are employed for the control design. A sliding surface is designed and the stability of the corresponding sliding motion is analysed based on the Razumikhin Theorem. Then a static output feedback sliding mode control with time delay is synthesized to drive the system to the sliding surface in finite time. Conservatism is reduced by using features of sliding mode control and systems structure. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.