Abstract

In this paper, a problem in feedback control of limit cycle amplitudes is studied. A graphical approach for this bifurcation control problem is developed by means of higher-order harmonic balance approximations for both amplitude and frequency of the system oscillatory outputs. The approach starts with the familiar Hopf bifurcation mechanism, and employs the second, fourth, and sixth-order harmonic balance approximations to generate a sequence of graphical tests for convergence analysis of the system oscillatory outputs. This sequential graphical testing leads to accurate approximations of limit cycles of small amplitudes in the system outputs. Degenerate Hopf bifurcation theory is used to formulate an appropriate control objective of capturing small-amplitude limit cycles, which can avoid reaching unstable equilibria or other undesirable limit sets. A rich cubic planar model is presented for illustration of the proposed control method.