Reduced-order interval observer based consensus for MASs with time-varying interval uncertainties

In this paper, the consensus problem of a continuous-time uncertain multi-agent system (MAS) with time-varying interval uncertainties in the system matrix and unknown initial states is investigated via output feedback. Relating only to the interval bounds on the uncertainties, a reduced-order framer, which includes two Luenberger-like observers, is first derived. Then, a distributed control algorithm relying only on the information of the framers associated with each agent and its neighbors is proposed. It is shown that the control algorithm can render the reduced-order framer to be an exponential reduced-order interval observer, and simultaneously drive the uncertain MAS to reach robust consensus exponentially. Finally, numerical simulations for a large-scale MAS are used to verify the theoretical results. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.