Robust and adaptable dynamic response reshaping of flexible structures

Abstract

This paper outlines a complete methodology for designing a control system that reshapes the dynamic response of the flexible structure to robustly match the dynamics of a given adaptable reference model. The procedure was experimentally verified on a setup developed at the European Space Agency, consisting of a cantilevered flexible plate actuated by two shakers. Angular displacements at the free tip of the plate were measured with sub-microradian resolution using a laser autocollimator. Following a comprehensive system identification phase, mathematical models of the uncertain plant were extracted. The models reliably fit the experimental data and were used to synthesize a low order and high bandwidth structured Linear Parameter Varying controller. The controller was designed by taking into account the limits of achievable performance and the closed loop effectively constrained the flexible structure to behave like it was made out of an adaptable material. The robust stability and worst case performances were assessed by means of a structured singular value analysis and excellent agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental results was observed.

Integrated modeling of microvibrations induced by Solar Array Drive Mechanism for worst-case end-to-end analysis and robust disturbance estimation

“…All the models derived in TITOP approach have been recently implemented in the last release of the Satellite Dynamics Toolbox (SDT) [15][16][17], which allows the user to easily build the model of a flexible spacecraft with several appendages by assembling elemental Simulink customized blocks. This model is then ready for robust control synthesis and robust stability and performance assessment [3,18,19] by using the available Matlab routines of the Robust Control Toolbox [20].…”

Integrated modelling of microvibrations induced by Solar Array Drive Mechanism for worst-case end-to-end analysis and robust disturbance estimation

“…All the models derived in TITOP approach have been recently implemented in the last release of the Satellite Dynamics Toolbox (SDT) [13,14,15], which allows the user to easily build the model of a flexible spacecraft with several appendages by assembling elemental Simulink customized blocks. This model is then ready for robust control synthesis and robust stability and performance assessment [3,16,17] by using the available Matlab routines of the Robust Control Toolbox [18].…”

Piecewise attitude tracking control of a gravity gradient microsatellite for coplanar orbital transfer

“…Preda et al stuided the development of a mixed active–passive microvibration mitigation solution capable of attenuating the transmitted vibrations generated by reaction wheels to a satellite structure [17]. Preda et al outlined a complete methodology for designing a control system that reshapes the dynamic response of the flexible structure to robustly match the dynamics of a given adaptable reference model [18]. Sopasakis et al designed a hybrid model predictive control scheme for the attitude control of a launcher during its long coasting period, aiming at minimizing the actuation count of the thrusters [19].…”