Backstepping control with local LQ performance applied to a turbocharged diesel engine

The problem of controlling the air-to-fuel ratio for a turbocharged diesel engine is addressed. The diesel engine is equipped with a variable geometry turbine. A backstepping design procedure that locally recovers an LQ performance around the operating point is applied to the engine control problem. The design method ensures boundedness for the air-flow system in a diesel engine and simulations show good transient behaviour for the boost pressure build-up.