Abstract: On the basis of Lyapunov's method, a simple direct global linearization method based on the reference model is presented.In this method,a reference modelwitht the desired linear dynamics is first set up.Then,by means of the Lyapunov's method, a nonlinear control law is designed so that the states of coatrolled system can approach the states of the desied linear system. This method has been used in the design of large -scale generator excitation controllers. The result shows that the resulting control law applying the new method is the same as those obtained by the differential geometry method and inverse system method. The new method involves only the basic knowledge of modem control theory. This effectively reduces the complexity of non- linear contol system design.