Output tracking via adaptive backstepping higher order integral sliding mode for uncertain nonlinear systems

The authors propose a new tracking control design strategy for uncertain non-linear systems which are convertible to Semi-Strict Feedback Form (SSFF). The system in SSFF is first converted into new variables via existing adaptive backstepping control techniques. The control law is obtained by combining adaptive backstepping procedure and higher order integral sliding mode. The component of control law designed via backstepping is continuous which shows robustness against parametric uncertainties where as the discontinuous control component provides robustness against unmodeled dynamics and external disturbances. Since, this strategy relies on an integral manifold of the adaptively developed variables, therefore, the reaching phase is eliminated in this approach, which is an advantage in term of robustness. Furthermore, the parameters update law correctly provides the estimation of parameters which is again results in enhanced robustness of the strategy. The stability of proposed method is analysed theoretically and validated through a numerical example.