This paper investigates the problem of protocol-based \(l_{2}-l_{\infty }\) output feedback tracking control for discrete-time nonlinear systems subject to the fading channel. First, an interval type-2 (IT2) Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy model is employed to characterize the nonlinear dynamics of the plant. Then an improved event-triggered stochastic protocol is introduced to reduce the data transmission frequency and schedule the transmission sequences. On this basis, an IT2 fuzzy output feedback tracking controller is designed to ensure the mean-square asymptotic stability and \(l_2-l_\infty \) tracking performance of the closed-loop system. Furthermore, all design parameters can be obtained by solving a set of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, two simulation examples are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.
