Distributed adaptive finite-time time-varying group formation tracking for high-order multi-agent systems with directed topologies

This paper investigates finite-time time-varying group formation (TVGF) tracking control problems for high-order multi-agent systems (MASs) with directed topologies. Firstly, the agents are classified into three types, i.e., the virtual leader, the group leader and the follower. A virtual leader is used to control the macroscopic movement of MASs. Subgroups can be interacted and coordinated with each other by the communication among group leaders. Secondly, a novel finite-time group formation tracking protocol using only the neighboring interaction is constructed based on adaptive integral sliding mode control. Then sufficient conditions for MASs with unknown external disturbances and directed topologies to realize finite-time TVGF tracking are derived using Lyapunov theory. Finally, a numerical simulation example is performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of theoretical results.