Robust limit cycle control in an attitude control system with switching-constrained actuators

Abstract— In this paper the robust behavior in some piecewise affine systems with minimally spaced transition times is studied. Such systems are found e.g. in satellites and satellite launchers. On-off thrusters are frequently used as actuators for attitude control and are typically subject to switching constraints. In these systems, persistent motions of different nature may occur, such as limit cycles, quasi-periodic-like and chaotic motions. In the presence of model uncertainties, the emergence of bifurcations in these systems can seriously affect performance. In this contribution, model uncertainties in the actuation device are evaluated in both a structured and an unstructured fashion. Then, Tsypkin’s method is used to investigate the robustness of the condition for of limit cycles. Robustness frontiers in the space of control parameter are identified. These frontiers are verified via simulation and compared to that given by the describing function method, revealing the dif...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2008
• Where: CDC
• Authors: Alexandre R. Mesquita, Karl Heinz Kienitz, Erico L. Rempel
• Keywords: CDC 2008, Control Systems, Limit Cycle, Model Uncertainties, Robust Behavior