Introduction to Tracking Control

Abstract

In this introductory chapter, the main problem dealt with in the book is outlined, shortly reviewing the different control structures to implement the tracking of a given reference or profile. These structures appear to be complementary, and they should be combined in the search for an optimal solution of the problem. Most of the control design methodologies are model based. Thus, the kind of model, its accuracy, and the process disturbance knowledge are key issues in the control design. In this book, the process model could be nonlinear and multivariable, but it should be affine in the control. The disturbances are assumed to be additive, and it is assumed to have access to the reference and its derivatives, as well to the process state. An outline of the book content is reported.