Output Feedback Controller Realizations for Open-loop Stable Nonlinear Processes

The purpose of this work is two-fold: 1. To establish a unified conceptual framework for the control of open-loop stable nonlinear processes (including those with deadtime and unstable inverse dynamics). 2. To develop reduced-order controller realizations for open-loop stable processes with deadtime or unstable inverse dynamics, and study the underlying controller structure. The first objective is motivated by the inadequacy of the classical error feedback control structure to provide a transparent analysis framework in the presence of deadtime or unstable inverse dynamics. The second objective arises from the obvious practical importance of reduced order controller realizations.