Sampled-data emulation of dynamic output feedback controllers for nonlinear time-delay systems

In this paper we deal with the problem of the stabilization in the sample-and-hold sense by emulation of continuous-time dynamic output feedback controllers. Nonlinear time-delay systems not necessarily affine in the control input are studied. Sufficient conditions are provided such that the emulation of continuous-time dynamic output feedback controllers yields stabilization in the sample-and-hold sense. The inter-sampling system behavior as well as time-varying sampling intervals are taken into account. The case of nonlinear delay-free systems is addressed as a special case. In this case, it is shown that the sufficient conditions, ensuring the stabilization in the sample-and-hold sense, are satisfied if the continuous-time dynamic output feedback controller is a global stabilizer. An example is presented which validates the theoretical results.