Global output feedback stabilization of upper-triangular nonlinear systems using a homogeneous domination approach

This paper addresses the problem of global output feedback stabilization for a class of upper-triangular systems with perturbing nonlinearities that are higher-order in the unmeasurable states. A new design method based on the homogeneous domination approach and finite-time stabilization technique is developed, which leads to global output feedback stabilizers for the upper-triangular nonlinear systems under a homogeneous growth condition. A new perspective shown in this paper is that the finite-time stabilization, in addition to its faster convergence rate, can also be utilized to handle control problems that were previously unresolved under asymptotic stabilization. Copyright (C) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.