A passivity-based approach for HIV-1 treatment scheduling

This paper explores the theoretical possibilities for applying a globally defined passivity-based control for a dynamical model of the HIV-1. This control law will define a treatment scheduling scheme for the anti-retroviral therapy. The controller structure is divided into two parts, the purpose of the first is to render passive the HIV-1 model while the second exploits the properties associated to passive systems to achieve the stability requirements. The presented control scheme guarantees that the objectives established by the highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) are fulfilled. From a systems theoretic perspective, the presented result states a first attempt in solving the problem using passivity arguments since the controller exhibits a state-feedback structure and assumes knowledge of the parameters model. Nevertheless, considering the remarkable performances achieved in numerical simulations, the importance of the contribution lies in the establishment of solid bases for continuing the research under the considered approach.