Robust Control of Bifurcating Nonlinear Systems with Applications

Abstract : This dissertation addresses issues in the robust control of nonlinear dynamic systems near points of bifurcation, with application to the feedback control of aircraft high angle-of-attack flight dynamics. Specifically, we consider nonlinear control systems for which a nominal equilibrium point loses stability with slight variation of a distinguished system parameter (the "bifurcation parameter"). At such a loss of stability, various static and dynamic bifurcations may occur. These bifurcations often entail the emergence from the nominal equilibrium of new equilibrium points or of periodic solutions. The control laws sought in this work are intended to achieve certain goals related to the stability and/or amplitude of the bifurcated solutions.