Improved Exponential Stability Criteria for Recurrent Neural Networks with Time-varying Discrete and Distributed Delays

In this paper, the problem of the global exponential stability analysis is investigated for a class of recurrent neural networks （RNNs） with time-varying discrete and distributed delays. Due to a novel technique when estimating the upper bound of the derivative of Lyapunov functional, we establish new exponential stability criteria in terms of LMIs. It is shown that the obtained criteria can provide less conservative results than some existing ones. Numerical examples are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed results.

Stability Analysis for Recurrent Neural Networks with Time-varying Delay

This paper is concerned with the stability analysis for static recurrent neural networks （RNNs） with time-varying delay. By Lyapunov functional method and linear matrix inequality technique, some new delay-dependent conditions are established to ensure the asymptotic stability of the neural network. Expressed in linear matrix inequalities （LMIs）, the proposed delay-dependent stability conditions can be checked using the recently developed algorithms. A numerical example is given to show that the obtained conditions can provide less conservative results than some existing ones.

Tracking Control Design for Nonholonomic Mechanical Systems with Affine Constraints

The trajectory tracking control is considered for nonholonomic mechanical systems with affine constraints and dynamic friction. A new state transformation is proposed to deal with affine constraints, and then an integral feedback compensation strategy is used to identify the dynamic friction. The proposed controller ensures that the output tracking errors converge to zero as t →∞.As an application, a detailed example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the control scheme.

Adaptive Tracking Control of Mobile Manipulators with Affine Constraints and Under-actuated Joints

Adaptive motion/force tracking control is considered for a class of mobile manipulators with affine constraints and under-actuated joints in the presence of uncertainties in this paper. Dynamic equation of mobile manipulator is transformed into a controllable form based on dynamic coupling technique. In view of the asymptotic tracking idea and adaptive theory, adaptive controllers are proposed to achieve the desired control objective. Detailed simulation results confirm the validity of the control strategy.

Finite-time Stabilization of a General Class of Nonholonomic Dynamic Systems via Terminal Sliding Mode

This paper presents control strategies for finite-time stabilization of a class of nonholonomic dynamic systems with unknown virtual control coefficients and system parameters. The minimal dilation degree technique and the terminal sliding mode control scheme with finite-time convergence are used to design the controllers. The systematic control strategy development involves the introduction of state transformations and the application of recursive terminal sliding mode structure. Depending on whether the system in question can be converted into a time-invariant linear system or not, two control schemes are proposed respectively guaranteeing that system states converge to zero in finite time. The effectiveness and the robust feature of the developed control approaches are testified by two practical examples： the simplified underactuated hovercraft system and the parking problem for a mobile robot of the unicycle type.