An optimal linear-quadratic digital tracker for analog neutral time-delay systems

In this paper, an optimal hybrid tracking control problem for continuous neutral time-delay systems is formulated and studied. An optimal linear integral quadratic cost function that has a high-gain property is used for tracking control specification. Two interpolation methods are applied to directly convert the original analog neutral time-delay system into an equivalent digital retarded time-delay system, and meanwhile convert the continuous-time quadratic cost function into a discretized form. Then, an extended state vector is constructed for an associate extended discrete-time optimal control problem without time delay. Using the standard discrete-time linear-quadratic optimal control theory and an indirect digital redesign technique with a predictive feature, an effective digital tracker is designed for the original analog neutral time-delay system. An example is finally given for illustrating the effectiveness of the new tracker design method. Copyright 2006 Oxford University Press.