Robustness of multiloop linear feedback systems

Abstract

This paper presents a new approach to the frequency-domain analysis of multiloop linear feedback systems. The properties of the return difference equation are examined using the concepts of singular values, singular vectors and the spectral norm of a matrix. A number of new tools for multiloop systems are developed which are analogous to those for scalar Nyquist and Bode analysis. These provide a generalization of the scalar frequency-domain notions such as gain, bandwidth, stability margins and M-circles, and provide considerable insight into system robustness.