Robust stabilization of discrete-time linear systems requires nonlinear dynamic feedback

Abstract: This paper studies the problem of robust stabilization of linear input-state systems in discrete time. We prove that for any compact set of stabilizable systems, there exists a dynamic state-feedback controller that globally asymptotically stabilizes all systems in the set. In addition, we show that for some compact sets of stabilizable systems, no nonlinear static or linear dynamic state-feedback law can achieve this task. This proves that, in general, robust stabilization requires a feedback law that is both nonlinear and dynamic. We extend our study to robust exponential stabilization with a given rate of decay. Finally, for polytopic sets of systems, we introduce an algorithm for the design of robust feedback laws.