Use of uncertainty polytope to describe constraint processes with uncertain time-delay for robust model predictive control applications

This paper studies the application of robust model predictive control (MPC) in a constraint process suffering from time-delay uncertainty. The process is described using a transfer function and sampled into a discrete model for computer control design. A polytope is firstly developed to describe the uncertain discrete model due to the process’s time-delay uncertainty. Based on the proposed description, a linear matrix inequality (LMI) based MPC algorithm is employed and modified to design a robust controller for such a constraint process. In case studies, the effect of time-delay uncertainty on the control performance of a standard MPC algorithm is investigated, and the proposed description and the modified control algorithm are validated in the temperature control of a typical air-handling unit.