Adaptive fuzzy sliding mode control for uncertain nonlinear underactuated mechanical systems

Sliding mode control has been shown to be a robust and effective control approach for stabilization of nonlinear systems. However the dynamic performance of the controller is a complex function of the system parameters, which is often uncertain or partially known. This paper presents an adaptive fuzzy sliding mode control for a class of underactuated nonlinear mechanical systems. An adaptive fuzzy system is used to approximate the uncertain parts of the underactuated system. The adaptive law is designed based on the Lyapunov method. The proof for the stability and the convergence of the system is presented. Robust performance of the adaptive fuzzy sliding mode control is illustrated using a gantry crane system. Simulation results demonstrate that the system output can track the reference signal in the presence of modelling uncertainties, external disturbances and parameter variation.