Robust stability analysis and H∞ control for uncertain networked flight control system with random time delays

Abstract

Time delay and structured uncertainty are the main issues when faster and low–cost avionics networks are introduced to the flight control system. This paper studies the problem of robust H∞ control for uncertain networked flight control system with random time delays and external disturbances. A new sufficient delay–dependent criterion with simple mathematical forms for robust stability and stabilisation of networked flight control system is derived by a free weighting matrix approach. Attention is focused on the design of a memoryless state feedback robust controller which satisfies a prescribed H∞ performance level irrespective of the parameter uncertainties, and the maximum bound of time delay are obtained based on the solution of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) which are established by the Lyapunov–Krasovskii stability theory. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of design procedure.