Neural network-based adaptive fault-tolerant control for nonlinear systems with uncertainties

This paper proposes a novel fault-tolerant control (FTC) scheme for real-time uncertainty estimation in nonlinear systems. It addresses the challenges arising from nonlinear dynamics in system inputs, states, and outputs, along with measurement uncertainties, within an output feedback framework. Our approach leverages two key components: 1) A neural network NN descriptor-based observer: this novel observer concurrently estimates both system states and sensor uncertainties. It is particularly capable of handling unbounded sensor uncertainties in specific situations. It utilizes NNs as universal approximators to capture the system's complex nonlinearities. 2) A robust model reference tracking controller: this controller employs the estimated states from the NN descriptor-based observer to achieve the desired system performance despite the existence of uncertainties. It exhibits robustness, guaranteeing system stability and asymptotic state tracking to a given reference model. The efficacy of the proposed FTC scheme is validated through theoretical analysis and its application to two real-world case studies.