A novel neural network-based adaptive control for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems in strict-feedback form

In this paper, a novel robust adaptive tracking control approach is presented for a class of strict-feedback single-input single-output nonlinear systems. By employing radial basis function neural network to account for system uncertainties, the proposed scheme is developed by combining “command filter” and “minimal learning parameter” techniques. The main advantages of the proposed controller are that: (1) the problem of “explosion of complexity” inherent in the conventional backstepping method is avoided; (2) the problem of “dimensionality curse” is solved, and only one adaptive parameter needs to be updated online. These advantages result in a much simpler adaptive control algorithm, which is convenient to implement in applications. In addition, stability analysis shows that uniform ultimate boundedness of the solution of the closed-loop system can be guaranteed. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.