Overcoming backstepping limitations via a novel MIMO non-affine-in-control convex optimization technique

Abstract

Limitations of the standard backstepping control technique are overcome in this paper by yielding global conditions for regional ones; specifically, flexible cascade arrangements that do not require the system to be put in a pure- or strict-feedback form to ensure controllability beforehand, handling of nonlinear MIMO blocks without invertible input distribution matrices, calculation of virtual and real control laws regardless of the non-affine-in-control nature of subsystems, and systematic numerical synthesis of Lyapunov-based control laws at each step of the cascade connection via linear matrix inequalities. All these benefits derive from exploiting exact convex rewriting of nonlinear terms, splitting available and non-available signals for control implementation, and applying the direct Lyapunov method to cast conditions as a convex optimization problem. Examples of academic and practical interest illustrate the advantages of the novel methodology over former approaches.