Nonlinear static feedback stabilization of linear systems with backlash

This paper is concerned with the nonlinear static state feedback stabilization of time-invariant linear multivariable continuous-time systems with friction driven backlash in the control inputs. A time-invariant static nonlinear state feedback compensator is proposed, easily obtainable solving an algebraic Riccati equation. The global asymptotic stability of the resulting closed-loop nonlinear system is proved using the Lyapunov's direct method and the La Salle's invariance principle. A simulation study shows that the proposed nonlinear state feedback compensator achieves an overall stabilization performance significantly better than the known backlash inverse compensator.