We consider the problem of determining an appropriate model set on which to
design a set of controllers for a multiple model switching adaptive contro
l scheme. We show that, given mild assumptions on the uncertainty set of li
near time-invariant plant models, it is possible to determine a finite set
of controllers such that for each plant in the uncertainty set, satisfactor
y performance will be obtained for some controller in the finite set. We al
so demonstrate how such a controller set may be found. The analysis exploit
s the Vinnicombe metric and the fact that the set of approximately band- an
d time-limited transfer functions is approximately finite-dimensional. Copy
right (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.