Design of multivariable variable structure model following control systems

A design procedure for model following control systems is developed by utilizing sliding mode in variable structure systems. It is shown that a variable structure model following control system (VSMFC) possesses an adaption mechanism similar to that in adaptive model following control systems. For some classes of plant parameter variations, shaping of the error transients can be achieved systematically using this design. Two control problems which have been approached via adaptive model following technique are considered and performance comparison with the present design is made.