Multi-Stage and Multi-Time Scale Feedback Control of Linear Systems with Applications to Fuel Cells

This book provides a comprehensive study of multi-stage and multi-time scale design of feedback controllers for linear dynamic systems. It examines different types of controllers as can be designed for different parts of the system (subsystems) using corresponding feedback gains obtained by performing calculations (design) only with subsystem (reduced-order) matrices. The advantages of the multi-stage/multi-time scale design are presented and conditions for implementation of these controllers are established. Complete derivations and corresponding design techniques are presented for two-stage/two-time-scale, three-stage/three-time scale, and four-stage/four-time-scale systems. The techniques developed have potential applications to a large number of real physical systems. The design techniques are demonstrated on examples of mathematical models of fuel cells, especially the proton exchange membrane fuel cell.