Robust output feedback distributed model predictive control of networked systems with communication delays in the presence of disturbance

In this work, an output feedback cooperative distributed model predictive control is developed for a class of networked systems composed of interacting subsystems interconnected through their states, in which it handles bounded disturbances and time varying communication delays. A distributed buffer based prediction strategy is used to compensate bounded delays and predict those states, which are coupled between subsystems that their actual values may not available due to delays. In the design of robust distributed model predictive control, distributed moving horizon estimation is employed so that convergence and boundedness of the estimation error are ensured. Furthermore, robust exponential stability of the closed loop system is established. The effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated using two interconnected continuous stirred tank reactors.