Discretization of nonlinear systems with delayed multi-input via Taylor series and scaling and squaring technique

An input time delay always exists in practical systems. Analysis of the delay phenomenon in a continuous-time domain is sophisticated. It is appropriate to obtain its corresponding discrete-time model for implementation via digital computers. In this paper a new scheme for the discretization of nonlinear systems using Taylor series expansion and the zero-order hold assumption is proposed. The mathematical structure of the new discretization method is analyzed. On the basis of this structure the sampled-data representation of nonlinear systems with time-delayed multi-input is presented. The delayed multi-input general equation has been derived. In particular, the effect of the time-discretization method on key properties of nonlinear control systems, such as equilibrium properties and asymptotic stability, is examined. Additionally, hybrid discretization schemes that result from a combination of the scaling and squaring technique (SST) with the Taylor series expansion are also proposed, especially under conditions of very low sampling rates. Practical issues associated with the selection of the method’s parameters to meet CPU time and accuracy requirements, are examined as well. A performance of the proposed method is evaluated using a nonlinear system with time delay: maneuvering an automobile.