Abstract

This paper addresses the finite-time tracking problem of nonlinear pure-feedback systems. Unlike the literature on traditional finite-time stabilization, in this paper the nonlinear system functions, including the bounding functions, are all totally unknown. Fuzzy logic systems are used to model those unknown functions. To present a finite-time control strategy, a criterion of semiglobal practical stability in finite time is first developed. Based on this criterion, a novel adaptive fuzzy control scheme is proposed by a backstepping technique. It is shown that the presented controller can guarantee that the tracking error converges to a small neighborhood of the origin in a finite time, and the other closed-loop signals remain bounded. Finally, two examples are used to test the effectiveness of proposed control strategy.