Eigenstructure Assignment Based Controllers Applied to Flexible Spacecraft

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the behaviour of a controller designed using a parametric Eigenstructure Assignment method and to evaluate its suitability for use in flexible spacecraft. The challenge of this objective lies in obtaining a suitable controller that is specifically designated to alleviate the deflections and vibrations suffered by external appendages in flexible spacecraft while performing attitude manoeuvres. One of the main problems in these vehicles is the mechanical cross-coupling that exists between the rigid and flexible parts of the spacecraft. Spacecraft with fine attitude pointing requirements need precise control of the mechanical coupling to avoid undesired attitude misalignment. In designing an attitude controller, it is necessary to consider the possible vibration of the solar panels and how it may influence the performance of the rest of the vehicle. The nonlinear mathematical model of a flexible spacecraft is considered a close approximation to the real system. During the process of controller evaluation, the design process has also been taken into account as a factor in assessing the robustness of the system

Robust H2/H∞-state estimation for discrete-time systems with error variance constraints

Copyright [1997] IEEE. This material is posted here with permission of the IEEE. Such permission of the IEEE does not in any way imply IEEE endorsement of any of Brunel University's products or services. Internal or personal use of this material is permitted. However, permission to reprint/republish this material for advertising or promotional purposes or for creating new collective works for resale or redistribution must be obtained from the IEEE by writing to [email protected]. By choosing to view this document, you agree to all provisions of the copyright laws protecting it.This paper studies the problem of an H∞-norm and variance-constrained state estimator design for uncertain linear discrete-time systems. The system under consideration is subjected to time-invariant norm-bounded parameter uncertainties in both the state and measurement matrices. The problem addressed is the design of a gain-scheduled linear state estimator such that, for all admissible measurable uncertainties, the variance of the estimation error of each state is not more than the individual prespecified value, and the transfer function from disturbances to error state outputs satisfies the prespecified H∞-norm upper bound constraint, simultaneously. The conditions for the existence of desired estimators are obtained in terms of matrix inequalities, and the explicit expression of these estimators is also derived. A numerical example is provided to demonstrate various aspects of theoretical results

Theoretical constraints in the design of multivariable control systems

The research being performed under NASA Grant NAG1-1361 involves a more clear understanding and definition of the constraints involved in the pole-zero placement or assignment process for multiple input, multiple output systems. Complete state feedback to more than a single controller under conditions of complete controllability and observability is redundant if pole placement alone is the design objective. The additional feedback gains, above and beyond those required for pole placement can be used for eignevalue assignment or zero placement of individual closed loop transfer functions. Because both poles and zeros of individual closed loop transfer functions strongly affect the dynamic response to a pilot command input, the pole-zero placement problem is important. When fewer controllers than degrees of freedom of motion are available, complete design freedom is not possible, the transmission zeros constrain the regions of possible pole-zero placement. The effect of transmission zero constraints on the design possibilities, selection of transmission zeros and the avoidance of producing non-minimum phase transfer functions is the subject of the research being performed under this grant

Output feedback : a geometric approach

Imperial Users onl

H infinity control design for generalized second order systems based on acceleration sensitivity function

This article presents an Hinfinty control design method based on the Acceleration Sensitivity (AS) function. This approach can be applied to any fully actuated generalized second order system. In this framework, classical modal specifications(pulsations / damping ratios) are expressed in terms of Hinfinty templates allowing other frequency domain specifications to betaken into account. Finally, a comparison between AS with a more classical Hinfinty approach and with the Cross Standard Form(CSF) is presented. A 2 degrees of freedom spring-damper-mass academic example is used to illustrate the properties of the AS,though this method was developed and is used for atmospheric reentry control design

Approximate zero polynomials of polynomial matrices and linear systems

This paper introduces the notions of approximate and optimal approximate zero polynomial of a polynomial matrix by deploying recent results on the approximate GCD of a set of polynomials Karcaniaset al. (2006) 1 and the exterior algebra Karcanias and Giannakopoulos (1984) 4 representation of polynomial matrices. The results provide a new definition for the "approximate", or "almost" zeros of polynomial matrices and provide the means for computing the distance from non-coprimeness of a polynomial matrix. The computational framework is expressed as a distance problem in a projective space. The general framework defined for polynomial matrices provides a new characterization of approximate zeros and decoupling zeros Karcanias et al. (1983) 2 and Karcanias and Giannakopoulos (1984) 4 of linear systems and a process leading to computation of their optimal versions. The use of restriction pencils provides the means for defining the distance of state feedback (output injection) orbits from uncontrollable (unobservable) families of systems, as well as the invariant versions of the "approximate decoupling polynomials". The overall framework that is introduced provides the means for introducing measures for the distance of a system from different families of uncontrollable, or unobservable systems, which may be feedback dependent, or feedback invariant as well as the notion of "approximate decoupling polynomials"