Distributed optimization of nonlinear singularly perturbed multi-agent systems via a small-gain approach and sliding mode control

This paper addressed the challenging problem of distributed optimization for nonlinear singular perturbation multi-agent systems. The main focus lies in steering the system outputs toward the optimal points of a globally objective function, which was formed by the combination of several local functions. To achieve this objective, the singular perturbation multi-agent system was initially decomposed into fast and slow subsystems. Compared to traditional methods, robustness in reference-tracking signals was ensured through the design of fast-slow sliding mode controllers. Additionally, our method ensured robustness against errors between reference signals and optimal values by employing a distributed optimizer to generate precise reference signals. Furthermore, the stability of the entire closed-loop system was rigorously guaranteed through the application of the small-gain theorem. To demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach, a numerical example was presented, providing empirical validation of its effectiveness in practical scenarios.