An introduction to variable structure control

Abstract

In this introductory chapter attention will be focused upon the regulator, where the aim of the design is to regulate the system state to zero. Much of the theory may be applied with suitable modifications to model-following and tracking control systems. In this chapter some of the basic features and properties of variable structure control have been discussed. Numerous applications to a wide variety of practical problem are listed. The deterministic control of uncertain time-varying systems control is achieved using nonlinear feedback control functions, which operate effectively over a specified magnitude range of a class of system parameter variations, without the need for on-line identification of the values of the parameters. This control philosophy contrasts sharply with stochastic adaptive control systems in which the control law is altered whilst system parameter values are calculated using online identification algorithms.