Robust distributed formation control with prescribed performance for nonlinear multi‐agent systems subjected to compound disturbances

Abstract

SummaryThis article is concerned with the distributed leader‐following formation control for nonlinear multi‐agent systems (MASs) subject to compound disturbances. Three aspects of the control objective: formation control, collision avoidance and connectivity preservation are achieved by the designed controller composed of three control laws. The formation control law is developed based on the barrier Lyapunov function and the backstepping method, which can prescribe the performance of the close‐loop system to some extent. Within our scheme, an adaptive finite‐time disturbance observer is used to enhance the robustness of the control system against compound disturbances including parameter perturbations, actuator bias faults and external disturbances. Meanwhile, a nonlinear tracking differentiator is introduced for each follower to cancel complex differential calculations and the requirement for the leader's acceleration information. Furthermore, the auxiliary control laws for collision avoidance and connectivity preservation are designed based on the artificial potential field method, which plays an important role during the formation shaping. Finally, complete stability analysis and vivid numerical simulation are carried out.