Reset output feedback control of cluster linear multi-agent systems

Abstract In this study, the distributed output consensus control issue is investigated for a class of linear cluster multi-agent systems (CMASs) under the control strategy of the reset observer. We consider a communication network consisting of several clusters, each of which is directed and contains a leader. The interactions among agents include continuous-discrete hybrid communication. Specifically, an instantaneous connectivity only exists between the clusters at discrete moments, called the reset time sequence. At the reset time, an instantaneous fixed directed network is formed such that only the leaders will consider the available information of neighboring leaders to reset their own states. During non-reset intervals, only the intra-clusters are connected while the inter-clusters are equivalent to a disconnected network topology. Considering that in practice, the state information may be partially unavailable, only the relative output information is utilized to estimate the unavailable state and thus control protocols are developed with the help of the reset full-order and reduced-order observers, respectively. The stability of the closed-loop CMAS at both the reset time and non-reset intervals is studied based on Lyapunov analysis. The consensus value depends only on the initial conditions and the network topology involved, and not on the reset time sequence. Finally, numerical simulations are provided to illustrate the theoretical results.