Multi-input sliding mode control of nonlinear uncertain affine systems

In the extension to multi-input nonlinear uncertain systems of the sliding mode methodology, a crucial role is played by the matrix pre-multiplying the control in the dynamic equation of the sliding output. If this matrix is perfectly known and invertible, it is possible to transform a multi-input sliding mode control problem in an almost decoupled set of single-input problems. If this matrix is uncertain then nothing can be done in general, and the investigation is oriented to find conditions ensuring the feasibility of control strategies in a progressively more general set of uncertain matrices. In the case of uncertain and constant matrices, it is possible, in principle, to manage the case in which the matrix in question is invertible. The corresponding adaptive or switching strategy suffers from the curse of dimensionality of the so-called unmixing set. In this article the case of time- and state-varying uncertain matrix is dealt with. A more general class of such a matrices for which there is, at least locally, a solution of the problem is found. The introduction of artificial integrators in the output channel (the integral sliding mode control methodology) allows the practical implementation of the control law without requiring the a priori knowledge of parameters featured by the solution of a relevant nonlinear Lyapunov equation.