H ∞ preview tracking control of retarded state‐multiplicative stochastic systems

The problem of infinite‐horizon H _∞ state‐feedback tracking control for linear continuous time‐invariant retarded systems with stochastic parameter uncertainties is investigated. Two tracking patterns are considered depending on the nature of the reference signal; that is, whether it is measured online or previewed in a fixed time‐interval ahead. The stochastic uncertainties appear in the dynamics matrices for both the retarded and the non‐retarded states of the system. The delayed system is transformed via the input–output approach, to an uncertain norm‐bounded system. A new method that efficiently yields a min–max strategy to the solution of each of the aforementioned two cases is suggested where, given a specific reference signal, the controller plays against nature, which chooses the maximizing energy‐bounded disturbance. The theoretical results are demonstrated by two examples that show the impact of the delay length and the preview length on the system performance. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.