Semi-global finite-time output feedback stabilization for a class of large-scale uncertain nonlinear systems

•A new design scheme is developed by coupling the finite-time stabilization theory with the homogeneous domination approach.•A controller is constructed for each nominal system by adding one power integrator technique.•The stability and convergence analysis are carried out using the homogeneous systems theory.•The efficiency of the decentralized output feedback stabilizers is demonstrated by a simulation example.

This paper addresses the problem of semi-global finite-time decentralized output feedback control for large-scale systems with both higher-order and lower-order terms. A new design scheme is developed by coupling the finite-time output feedback stabilization method with the homogeneous domination approach. Specifically, we first design a homogeneous observer and an output feedback control law for each nominal subsystem without the nonlinearities. Then, based on the homogeneous domination approach, we relax the linear growth condition to a polynomial one and construct decentralized controllers to render the nonlinear system semi-globally finite-time stable.