Robust observer and controller design for PDE systems

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Alexander Schaum
• Subject Area: Automation, Mechatronics, Control Systems, Intelligent Technical Systems, Robotics
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 575010506

The project aims at developing new methods for robust control and observer design for semilinear and nonlinear PDE systems with distributed disturbances, and validating them experimentally on the basis of case studies. From a methodological point of view, approaches from dissipativity theory and discontinuous control will be combined. Particularly the fundamental idea from dissipativity-based design approaches to interpret complex dynamical systems as interconnections of simpler subsystems will be exploited to decide for which subsystems discontinuous design methods are better suited regarding robustness and convergence properties. This approach is expected to combine the strengths of both methodologies while also more clearly highlighting their individual advantages. As discussed in the proposal, specific methods to be used are the modal decomposition, pointwise measurement injection, backstepping, as well as higher-order sliding modes.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Austria
• Partner Organisation: Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung (FWF)
• Cooperation Partner: Dr. Stefan Koch