Control of multiple networked passive plants with delays and data dropouts

This paper provides a framework to synthesize l₂ ^m-stable and L₂ ^m-stable control networks in which m strictly-output passive controllers can control n - m strictly-output passive plants. The communication between the plants and controllers can tolerate time varying delay and data dropouts. In particular, we introduce a power junction which allows even a single controller (typically designed to control a single plant) to accurately control the position of multiple plants even if the dynamics of the plants are different. An illustrative simulated example shows the position tracking performance of the system. We conclude the discussion with two questions for future research.