Robust limit cycle control for finite-time generation of sustained oscillations in nonlinear systems with mixed dead-zone and saturation

This paper suggests a novel limit cycle control technique, based on the finite-time stability scheme, for producing sustained oscillations in a class of nonlinear complex systems. The considered systems are constrained to input dead-zone and saturation simultaneously and suffer from non-vanishing perturbations due to model uncertainties, and external disturbances. For this purpose, an innovative sliding manifold is proposed based on the topology of the wanted limit cycle which provides the conditions for developing the finite time stability concept for limit sets. With the aid of the finite-time command filter and the cooperation of the sliding mode control (SMC) method with the backstepping technique, a robust controller is constructed which guarantees the finite-time convergence of phase trajectories of the closed-loop system toward the wanted limit cycle. This leads to the creation of sustained oscillations, with the desirable amplitude and frequency, in the system's output. The stability analysis is proved based on the Lyapunov approach through the set stability concept. Finally, the effectiveness of the suggested methodology is confirmed by a variety of simulations.