Robust Fuzzy Sampled-Data Control for Dynamic Positioning Ships

A robust H_∞ sampled-data stabilization problem for nonlinear dynamic positioning (DP) ships with Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy models is discussed in this paper. Input delay approach is used to convert the sampleddata DP ship system to a fuzzy system with time-varying delay. Adequate conditions are derived to determine the system’s asymptotical stability and achieve H_∞ performance via Lyapunov stability theorems. Then, the fuzzy sampled-data controller is obtained by analyzing the stabilization condition. Simulation result shows that the proposed method and the designed controller for a DP ship are effective so that the DP ship can maintain the desired position, heading and velocities in the existence of varying environment disturbances.