LMI based design of constrained fuzzy predictive control

Predictive control of nonlinear systems subject to output and input constraints is considered. A fuzzy model is used to predict the future behavior. Two new ideas are proposed here. First, an added constraint on the applied control action is used to ensure the decrease of a quadratic Lyapunov function, and so guarantee Lyapunov exponential stability of the closed-loop system. Second, the feasibility of the finite-horizon optimization problem with the added constraints is ensured based on an off-line solution of a set of LMIs. The novel stability method is compared to the existing methods, such as the techniques based on the end-point constraints (terminal constraint set), and the robust stability techniques based on the small gain theory. The proposed method ensures Lyapunov exponential stability, does not need an auxiliary controller and can be used with any feasible controller parameters. Illustrative examples including the predictive control of a highly nonlinear chemical reactor (CSTR) are discussed.