Discrete-time sliding mode control in the presence of system uncertainty

Abstract

A discrete-time sliding-mode controller is presented in this paper, based on the theory of variable structure systems. It is assumed that the parameters of the system are uncertain and external disturbances are present. A measure of these effects is obtained through the deviations from the desired sliding surface, and this information is incorporated in the control law. A predictive corrective scheme is utilized in the calculation of the control inputs and, as a result, no a priori knowledge of the uncertainty bounds is required. This approach leads to a non-switching type of control, thereby eliminating the fundamental cause of chatter. The convergence and disturbance rejection properties of the approach are verified, and its performance is tested for the tracking control of an industrial robot.