The design of controllers combining feedback and feedforward for the finite time settling control of linear systems, including linear time-varying systems, is considered. The feedforward part transfers the initial state of a linear system to a desired final state in finite time, and the feedback part reduces the effects of uncertainties and disturbances on the system performance. Two methods for determining the feedforward part, without requiring the knowledge of the explicit state solutions, are proposed. In the first method, a numerical procedure for approximating combined controls that drive linear time-varying systems to their final state in finite time is given. The feedforward part is a variable function of time and is selected based on a set of necessary conditions, such as magnitude constraints. In the second method, an analytical procedure for constructing combined controls for linear time-invariant systems is presented, where the feedforward part is accurately determined and it is of the minimum energy control type. It is shown that both methods facilitate the design of the feedforward part of combined controllers for the finite time settling of linear systems. The robustness of driving a linear system to its desired state in finite time is analyzed for three types of uncertainties. The robustness analysis suggests a modification of the feedforward control law to assure the robustness of the control strategy to parameter uncertainties for arbitrary final times.
