Integrated robust optimal design using bilinear matrix inequality approach via sensitivity minimization

A novel integrated robust control synthesis methodology is presented here which combines a traditional sensitivity theory with relatively new advancements in bilinear matrix inequality (BMI) constrained optimization problems. The proposed methodology is demonstrated using a numerical example of integrated control design problem for combine harvester header linkage. The integrated design methodology presented is compared with a traditional sequential design method and the results show that the proposed methodology provides a viable alternative for robust controller synthesis and often times offers even a better performance than competing methods.