Fully Distributed Adaptive Finite-Time Consensus for Uncertain Nonlinear Multiagent Systems

In this article, the adaptive finite-time consensus problem is discussed for uncertain nonlinear multiagent systems. In contrast with the correlative literature, the systems permit multiple uncertainties (not only in control coefficients but also in inherent nonlinearities), and typically the consensus protocol is pursued in a fully distributed fashion (independent from any global information of network topology). This essentially challenges the realization of the finite-time consensus. To overcome the challenge, a new continuous fully distributed protocol is proposed by combining adaptive techniques such that the finite-time consensus of the systems under investigation is achieved. Remarkably, a dynamic high gain, rather than multiple ones in the related literature, is adequate to resist two kinds of uncertainties and to guarantee the fully distributed fashion of the consensus protocol. Moreover, the adaptive finite-time consensus protocol is specified on the scenario of leader-following multiagent systems. Simulation results of three interaction topologies are acquired to illustrate the validity and the wider applicability of the proposed protocol.