Passivity-Based Nonlinear Control

The passivity-based control (PBC) framework focuses on understanding and modifying the energy storage and dissipation in the system to be controlled. To this end, PBC techniques often proceed in two steps: (i) ensuring that the closed-loop system’s energy is minimum at the desired point, and then (ii) forcing the system to dissipate energy until reaching that point. These control methods have proven effective in controlling a wide range of systems, especially physical ones, even when they exhibit highly nonlinear behaviors. This chapter discusses the main aspects of some PBC strategies for nonlinear systems.