Predictor–observer-based control of systems with multiple input/output delays

This paper deals with the control of single-input–single-output linear time-delayed systems, when there are different delays in the output/input transfer function. The process can be disturbed and unstable. A new control structure is proposed, solving the problem in several steps. First, by using a stable predictor/observer the plant is stabilized, regardless the delays. On the stable plant, the multidelay plant model is considered as a single delay plant with additional disturbances. The problem of disturbance rejection is solved by using a disturbance observer approach. Finally, output tracking is achieved by a two degrees of freedom controller.