Multi-Observer Output Feedback Stabilization of a Class of Uncertain Nonminimum-Phase Systems

This paper addresses the challenging problem of output feedback stabilization for nonlinear nonminimum phase (NMP) systems in the presence of parametric uncertainties and external disturbances. The proposed framework integrates three distinct observers: a reduced-order observer for reconstructing the unmeasured states of the internal (zero) dynamics, a high-gain observer for estimating output derivatives, and an observer for estimating the aggregated effect of parametric uncertainties and disturbances. Leveraging these estimates, a sliding mode control law is synthesized to ensure global asymptotic stability of the entire system using only output measurements. The control design requires only partial model knowledge, significantly relaxing the restrictive assumptions common in existing literature. Numerical simulations illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed output-feedback strategy and corroborate the theoretical developments.