Abstract
•We have developed a model for complex economic systems utilizing variable-order fractional derivatives.•The system's behaviour is highy dependent upon the value of fractional-order derivatives.•A nonlinear model predictive controller (NMPC) for hyperchaotic control is introduced.•The robust control suppresses the chaotic behaviour and stabilizes the close-loop system, while also rejecting any external bounded disturbances.
Mathematical modelling plays an indispensable role in our understanding of systems and phenomena. However, most mathematical models formulated for systems either have an integer order derivate or posses constant fractional-order derivative. Hence, their performance significantly deteriorates in some conditions. For the first time in the current paper, we develop a model of an economic system with variable-order fractional derivatives. Our underlying assumption is that the values of fractional derivatives are time-varying functions instead of constant parameters. The effects of variable-order time derivative into the economic system is studied. The dependency of the system's behaviour on the value of the fractional-order derivative is investigated. Afterwards, a nonlinear model predictive controller (NMPC) for hyperchaotic control of the system is suggested. The necessary optimality and sufficient conditions for solving the nonlinear optimal control problem (NOCP) of the NMPC in the form of fractional calculus with variable-order which is formulated as a two-point boundary value problem (TPBVP) are derived. Since the proposed methodology is a robust controller, the efficiency of the proposed controller in the presence of external bounded disturbances is examined. Simulation results show that not only does the presented control approach suppresses the related chaotic behaviour and stabilizes the close-loop system, but it also rejects the external bounded disturbances.