The design of an H-infinity adaptive controller for auto-pilot control appl
ications is considered. The method is based on interpolation between severa
l fixed controllers designed at different operating speeds. The cost functi
ons are chosen for a worst-case design simplifying the control law calculat
ion. The robustness of the adaptive controller to changes in ship speed are
illustrated by means of non-linear simulation results. (C) 1998 John Wiley
& Sons, Ltd.