Adaptive neural consensus tracking control for a class of 2-order multi-agent systems with nonlinear dynamics

This paper investigates the problem of finite-time consensus tracking control for a class of 2-order nonlinear multi-agent systems (MASs). In order to present a consensus control protocol by adaptive neural control approach, a novel fast finite-time stability criterion is first set up, which provides a theoretical basis for applying approximation-based adaptive control approaches to solve the finite-time control issues. Furthermore, an adaptive neural fast finite-time consensus tracking controller is constructed based on the developed finite-time stability criterion. The suggested adaptive neural backstepping control design scheme successfully avoids the problem of singularity of controllers. Under the action of the presented protocol, the output of each follower tracks the reference signal and other signals of the closed-loop system remain bounded in finite time. The efficacy of the proposed control scheme is confirmed by simulation study.