Output-Constrained Secured Tracking Control for Distributed Cyber–Physical Systems Against FDI Attacks

This article investigates the distributed tracking problem of networked cyber-physical systems (CPSs), considering system uncertainties, output constraints, and false data injection (FDI) attacks. Notably, the FDI attacks modeled here are explicitly malicious, meaning they are designed to cause the system to violate prescribed output constraints. Motivated by the lack of constrained-control studies addressing situations where the reference signal does not meet the constraint, we introduce a new form of tracking error, termed barrier tracking error (BTE). It is valuable that any conventional control scheme can be combined with the BTE idea to deal with output constraints. Subsequently, a nonsingular finite-time controller is developed using the backstepping method and neural networks. It is worth mentioning that the controller employs an event-triggered quantized control strategy, effectively reducing the burden on channels and actuators. Finally, comprehensive stability analysis and simulations are provided.