Time-Varying Feedback Laws for Decentralized Control

Decentralized control schemes are considered for time-invariant, finite dimensional, linear systems with known state equations. It is assumed that the systems are reachable and observable at a fictitious centralized control station, and that there is strong connectivity between the decentralized control stations via the system where necessary. It is shown that whether or not there are decentralized fixed modes in the open-loop system, periodically varying feedback gains at all but one of the control stations permit the remaining control station to observe and control the system given knowledge of the control laws implemented at the other control stations. Certain time-invariant systems which cannot be stabilized by decentralized time-invariant controllers, namely those with unstable decentralized fixed modes, can thus be stabilized by decentralized time-varying controllers.