Global output feedback sampled‐data stabilization for upper‐triangular nonlinear systems with improved maximum allowable transmission delay

This paper addresses the problem of output feedback sampled‐data stabilization for upper‐triangular nonlinear systems with improved maximum allowable transmission delay. A class of hybrid systems are firstly introduced. The transmission delay may be larger than the sampling period. Then, sufficient conditions are proposed to guarantee global exponential stability of the hybrid systems. Based on these sufficient conditions and a linear continuous‐discrete observer, an output feedback control law is presented to globally exponentially stabilize the feedforward nonlinear system. The improved maximum allowable transmission delay is also given. The results are also extended to output feedback sampled‐data stabilization for lower‐triangular nonlinear systems. Finally, illustrative examples are used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed design methods. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.