Linear repetitive control for a nonlinear mechanical ventilation system using feedback linearization

Mechanical ventilators sustain life of patients that are unable to breathe on their own. The aim of this paper is to improve pressure tracking performance of a nonlinear mechanical ventilation system using linear repetitive control, while guaranteeing stability. This is achieved by using feedback linearization and subsequently applying linear repetitive control to the linearized plant. The design procedure of this control strategy is developed in this paper. Thereafter, the controller is implemented in simulations and experiments showing superior pressure tracking performance of this control strategy compared to standard feedback control.