Zero dynamics of sampled-data models for nonlinear systems

One of the approaches to sampled-data controller design for nonlinear continuous-time systems consists of obtaining an appropriate model and then proceeding to design a controller for the model. Then, it is important to derive a good approximate sampled-data model because the exact sampled- data model for nonlinear systems is often unavailable to the controller designers. Recently, Yuz and Goodwin have proposed an accurate sampled-data model which includes extra zero dynamics, so-called the sampling zero dynamics, corresponding to the relative degree of the continuous-time nonlinear system. This paper shows that a more accurate sampled-data model is required for a controlled Van der Pol system with the relative degree two. The reason is that the closed-loop system becomes unstable when a controller design method based on cancellation of the zero dynamics is applied, and the phenomenon seems related to the instability of the sampling zero dynamics of the more accurate sampled-data model. Further, this paper derives a more accurate model than that of Yuz and Goodwin for continuous-time nonlinear systems with the relative degree two, and presents a condition which assures the stability of the sampling zero dynamics of the obtained model.