2024/10/07 by Simon Kuang, Kuang, Simon, Xinfan Lin +1
Computer Science · #FOS: Electrical engineering #Sensor Technology and Measurement Systems #Systems and Control (eess.SY) #electronic engineering #information engineering
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2410.05490
openalex publication_date 2024/10/07 · openalex created_date 2024/10/12 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Asymptotic disturbance rejection (equivalently tracking) for nonlinear systems has been studied only in qualitative terms (the state is asymptotically stable under bounded disturbances). We show how to prove quantitative performance guarantees for the nonlinear servomechanism problem. Our technique originates by applying a gain inequalities point of view to an ad fontes reexamination of the linear problem: what is the nonlinear equivalent of a sensitivity transfer function with a zero at the origin? We answer: a nonlinear input-output system is high-pass if its output is stable with respect to the derivative of the input. We first show that definition generalizes high-pass resistor-capacitor circuit analysis to accommodate nonlinear resistors. We then show that this definition generalizes the steady-state disturbance rejection property of integral feedback controllers for linear systems. The theoretical payoff is that low-frequency disturbance rejection is captured by a quantitative, non-asymptotic output cost bound. Finally, we raise theoretical questions about compositionality of nonlinear operators.