Abstract

General nonlinear control systems described by ordinary differential equations with a prescribed sliding manifold are considered. A method of designing a feedback control law such that the state variable fulfills the sliding condition in finite time is based on the construction of a suitable simplex of vectors in the tangent space of the manifold. The convergence of the method is proved under an obtuse angle condition and a way to build the required simplex is indicated. An example of engineering interest is presented.