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In this technical note, a new model predictive controller for tracking arbitrary periodic references is presented. The proposed controller is based on a single layer that unites dynamic trajectory planning and control. A design procedure to guarantee that the closed loop system converges asymptotically to the optimal admissible periodic trajectory while guaranteeing constraint satisfaction is provided. In addition, the constraints of the optimization problem solved by the controller do not depend on the reference, allowing for sudden changes in the reference without loosing feasibility. The properties of the proposed controller are demonstrated with a simulation example of a ball and plate system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This technical note studies quantitatively asymptotic growth behaviors of trajectories (AGBT) of nonlinear autonomous discrete dynamical system that has unbounded domain, non-Lipschitz continuous nonlinear operator, and stable or unstable equilibrium point. We explain how trajectory motion speed is quantitatively determined in the system, and study exact computation and sharp estimation of the smallest exponential bound of trajectories. We characterize exponential stability and asymptotic stability of the system from a new point of view, and provide a simple condition to distinguish them from each other. These results extend existing results that were obtained in some special cases of the system, and are helpful for quantitative analysis and understanding of AGBT of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This technical note deals with a general class of discrete 2-D possibly nonlinear systems based on the Roesser model. We first motivate the introduction of Lyapunov type definitions of asymptotic and exponential stability. This will allow us to introduce and discuss several particularities that cannot be found in 1-D systems. Once this background has been carefully designed, we develop different Lyapunov theorems in order to check asymptotic and exponential stability of nonlinear 2-D systems. Finally we propose the first converse Lyapunov theorem in the case of exponential stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the problem of distributed control of a platoon of vehicles with nonlinear dynamics. We present distributed receding horizon control algorithms and derive sufficient conditions that guarantee asymptotic stability, leader-follower string stability, and predecessor-follower string stability, following a step speed change in the platoon. Vehicles compute their own control in parallel, and receive communicated position and velocity error trajectories from their immediate predecessor. Leader-follower string stability requires additional communication from the lead car at each update, in the form of a position error trajectory. Predecessor-follower string stability, as we define it, implies leader-follower string stability. Predecessor-follower string stability requires stricter constraints in the local optimal control problems than the leader-follower formulation, but communication from the lead car is required only once at initialization. Provided an initially feasible solution can be found, subsequent feasibility of the algorithms are guaranteed at every update. The theory is generalized for nonlinear decoupled dynamics, and is thus applicable to fleets of planes, robots, or boats, in addition to cars. A simple seven-car simulation examines parametric tradeoffs that affect stability and string stability. Analysis on platoon formation, heterogeneity and size (length) is also considered, resulting in intuitive tradeoffs between lead car and following car control flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present algebraic conditions on the trajectory of a dynamical system to approximately describe a certain type of system robustness. The corresponding equations can be used as constraints in a robust optimization procedure to select a set of optimal design parameters for a dynamical system which is subject to fast disturbances. Robustness is ensured by requiring the disturbance parameters to stay sufficiently far away from critical manifolds in the disturbance parameter space, at which the system would lose stability. The closest distance to the critical manifolds is measured along their normal vectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lyapunov methods and density functions provide dual characterizations of the solutions of a nonlinear dynamic system. This work exploits the idea of combining both techniques, to yield stability results that are valid for almost all the solutions of the system. Based on the combination of Lyapunov and density functions, analysis methods are proposed for the derivation of almost input-to-state stability, and of almost global stability in nonlinear systems. The techniques are illustrated for an inertial attitude observer, where angular velocity readings are corrupted by non-idealities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stability is arguably one of the core concepts upon which our understanding of dynamical and control systems has been built. The related notion of incremental stability, however, has received much less attention until recently, when it was successfully used as a tool for the analysis and design of intrinsic observers, output regulation of nonlinear systems, frequency estimators, synchronization of coupled identical dynamical systems, symbolic models for nonlinear control systems, and bio-molecular systems. However, most of the existing controller design techniques provide controllers enforcing stability rather than incremental stability. Hence, there is a growing need to extend existing methods or develop new ones for the purpose of designing incrementally stabilizing controllers. In this technical note, we develop a backstepping design approach for incremental stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]