Non-overshooting tracking control for finite-time nonlinear output-feedback systems

This paper investigates a class of strict-feedback nonlinear systems with unmeasurable states and proposes a novel control strategy that integrates finite-time control with non-overshooting tracking. A nonlinear state observer is designed to estimate the unmeasurable states, and a backstepping-based controller is developed within a finite-time control framework. The main contributions are as follows. When the initial system states match the observer states within a prescribed finite time, zero overshoot is achieved. Sufficient conditions for non-overshooting control are derived for low-order systems n=1,2,3 and higher-order systems n≥4. Compared with existing methods, the proposed approach reduces conservatism and extends the applicability of output-feedback control to non-overshooting tracking for nth order nonlinear systems. Simulation results based on a DC servo motor system demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, showing that it ensures system stability while achieving non-overshooting tracking performance.