  Negative imaginary (NI) systems play an important role in the robust control
of highly resonant flexible structures. In this paper, a generalized NI system
framework is presented. A new NI system definition is given, which allows for
flexible structure systems with colocated force actuators and position sensors,
and with free body motion. This definition extends the existing definitions of
NI systems. Also, necessary and sufficient conditions are provided for the
stability of positive feedback control systems where the plant is NI according
to the new definition and the controller is strictly negative imaginary. The
stability conditions in this paper are given purely in terms of properties of
the plant and controller transfer function matrices, although the proofs rely
on state space techniques. Furthermore, the stability conditions given are
independent of the plant and controller system order. As an application of
these results, a case study involving the control of a flexible robotic arm
with a piezo-electric actuator and sensor is presented.
