Closing the loop through communication networks: the case of an integrator plant and multiple controllers

The subject of controlling an integrator via a communication network finds many applications in modern control systems such as ATM network VBR control, load balancing in computer networks, etc. Stability conditions in closed form are derived for the arising feedback system, which consists of multiple controllers, an integrator and time-variant links between integrator and controllers. It is shown, that these derived stability conditions are computationally feasible, even for systems with long delays. In order to draw from a recent result on time-variant discrete system stability, FIR controllers are assumed.