Stability of closed-loop fractional-order systems and definition of damping contours for the design of controllers

Abstract

Fractional complex order integrator has been used since 1991 for the design of robust control-systems. In the CRONE control methodology, it permits the parameterization of open loop transfer function which is optimized in a robustness context. Sets of fractional order integrators that lead to a given damping factor have also been used to build iso-damping contours on the Nichols plane. These iso-damping contours can also be used to optimize the third CRONE generation open-loop transfer function. However, these contours have been built using non band-limited integrators, even if such integrators reveal to lead to unstable closed loop systems. One objective of this paper is to show how the band-limitation modifies the left half-plane dominant poles of the closed loop system and removes the right half-plane ones. It is also presented how to obtain a fractional order open loop transfer function with a high phase slope and a useful frequency response. It is presented how the damping contours can be used to design robust controllers, not only CRONE controllers but also PD and QFT controllers.