Robust output tracking of nonlinear systems with mismatched uncertainties

The problem of robust output tracking for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems which do not satisfy the conventional matching condition is considered. The main assumption on the uncertainty is that the triangularity condition is satisfied. Based on backstepping method and input/output linearization approach, we propose a class of non-adaptive state feedback controllers which can guarantee exponential stability of the tracking error for the uncertain nonlinear systems first. Next, adaptive control laws are developed so that no prior knowledge of the bounds on the uncertainties is required. By updating these upper bounds, we design a class of adaptive robust controllers. It is shown that under the proposed adaptive robust control the tracking error of the controlled system converges to zero as time approaches infinity.