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At least 595 records · Page 33

Output control using feedforward and cascade controllers

An open-loop solution to the output control problem in SISO (single-input, single-output) systems by means of feedforward and cascade controllers is investigated. A simple characterization of feedforward controllers, which achieve steady-state disturbance rejection, is given in a transfer-function setting. Cascade controllers which cause steady-state command tracking are characterized. Disturbance decoupling and command matching controllers are identified. Conditions for existence of feedforward and cascade controllers are given. For unstable systems, it is shown that a stabilizing feedback controller can be used without affecting the feedforward and cascade controllers used for output control; hence, the three controllers can be designed independently. Output control by a combination of feedforward and feedback is discussed.

Seraji, H.↗

Decoupled and linear quadratic regulator control of a large, flexible space antenna with an observer in the control loop

An analysis is performed to compare decoupled and linear quadratic regulator (LQR) procedures for the control of a large, flexible space antenna. Control objectives involve: (1) commanding changes in the rigid-body modes, (2) nulling initial disturbances in the rigid-body modes, or (3) nulling initial disturbances in the first three flexible modes. Control is achieved with two three-axis control-moment gyros located on the antenna column. Results are presented to illustrate various effects on control requirements for the two procedures. These effects include errors in the initial estimates of state variables, variations in the type, number, and location of sensors, and deletions of state-variable estimates for certain flexible modes after control activation. The advantages of incorporating a time lag in the control feedback are also illustrated. In addition, the effects of inoperative-control situations are analyzed with regard to control requirements and resultant modal responses. Comparisons are included which show the effects of perfect state feedback with no residual modes (ideal case). Time-history responses are presented to illustrate the various effects on the control procedures.

Hamer, H. A.↗

Multivariable control systems with saturating actuators antireset windup strategies

Preliminary, promising, results for introducing antireset windup (ARW) properties in multivariable feedback control systems with multiple saturating actuator nonlinearities and integrating actions are presented. The ARW method introduces simple nonlinear feedback around the integrators. The multiloop circle criterion is used to derive sufficient conditions for closed-loop stability that employ frequency-domain singular value tests. The improvement in transient response due to the ARW feedback is demonstrated using a 2-input 2-outpurt control system based upon F-404 jet engine dynamics.

Kapasouris, P.↗

Implementation of high-speed data acquisition at DIII-D

Research at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility in San Diego focuses on short pulse plasma discharges that specialize on various shaping profiles. High-speed data collection is a critical component for the operation of many of DIII-D’s diagnostics and is fundamental for capturing high-resolution data used in experimental data analysis. Differing techniques enable the plasma control system (PCS) to perform complex real-time feedback control on microsecond time scales. This work presents a comprehensive overview of data acquisition, focusing on the hardware and software used in reliable data acquisition at DIII-D. The robust nature of the data acquisition system allows for various techniques to coexist seamlessly. However, as modern systems capable of nanosecond resolution become more common, existing architectures will need to be modified. Here, by addressing the key challenges of high-speed data acquisition, DIII-D is able to provide real-time data used in plasma operation and has the ability to acquire high fidelity data needed for future experimental fusion reactors, such as ITER.

Control↗

The development of a pseudo-nyquist analysis technique for hybrid sampled-data control systems

The stability characteristics of a launch vehicle, as a function of gain and phase variations at the thrust vector controller, cannot be obtained using classical sampled-data control theory if the launch vehicle attitude control system contains both sampled-data and continuous feedback control loops. A method was developed which can be used to generate a sampled-data pseudo-Nyquist plot for gain and phase variations at the controller. This method was developed and used to determine the stability characteristics of the Saturn 1B launch vehicle in the backup guidance mode.

Burnitt, M. G.↗

Application of transonic codes to aeroelastic modeling of airfoils including active controls

A study is performed using aeroelastic modeling to investigate the stability behavior of airfoils in small-disturbance transonic flow. Two conventional airfoils, NACA 64.A006 and NACA 64A010, and a supercritical airfoil, MBB A-3, are considered. Three sets of unsteady aerodynamic data are computed using three different transonic codes (LTRAN2-NLR, LTRAN2-HI, and USTS) for comparison purposes. Stability results obtained using a constant matrix, state-space, aeroelastic model are presented in a root-locus format. Use of the state-space model is demonstrated through application to flutter suppression using active controls. Aeroelastic effects due to simple, constant gain, partial feedback, control laws that utilize displacement, velocity, and acceleration sensing are studied using a variety of control gains. Calculations are also performed using linear subsonic aerodynamic theory to reveal the differences between including and not including transonic effects in the aeroelastic model. Aeroelastic stability behavior of these airfoils is physically interpreted and discussed in detail.

Batina, J. T.↗

Variable structure control of nonlinear systems through simplified uncertain models

A variable structure control approach is presented for the robust stabilization of feedback equivalent nonlinear systems whose proposed model lies in the same structural orbit of a linear system in Brunovsky's canonical form. An attempt to linearize exactly the nonlinear plant on the basis of the feedback control law derived for the available model results in a nonlinearly perturbed canonical system for the expanded class of possible equivalent control functions. Conservatism tends to grow as modeling errors become larger. In order to preserve the internal controllability structure of the plant, it is proposed that model simplification be carried out on the open-loop-transformed system. As an example, a controller is developed for a single link manipulator with an elastic joint.

Sira-Ramirez, Hebertt↗

Decentralized adaptive control of manipulators - Theory, simulation, and experimentation

The author presents a simple decentralized adaptive-control scheme for multijoint robot manipulators based on the independent joint control concept. The control objective is to achieve accurate tracking of desired joint trajectories. The proposed control scheme does not use the complex manipulator dynamic model, and each joint is controlled simply by a PID (proportional-integral-derivative) feedback controller and a position-velocity-acceleration feedforward controller, both with adjustable gains. Simulation results are given for a two-link direct-drive manipulator under adaptive independent joint control. The results illustrate trajectory tracking under coupled dynamics and varying payload. The proposed scheme is implemented on a MicroVAX II computer for motion control of the three major joints of a PUMA 560 arm. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate that trajectory tracking is achieved despite coupled nonlinear joint dynamics.

Seraji, Homayoun↗

A real time, FEM based optimal control algorithm and its implementation using parallel processing hardware (transistors) in a microprocessor environment

There is an evident need to discover a means of establishing reliable, implementable controls for systems that are plagued by nonlinear and, or uncertain, model dynamics. The development of a generic controller design tool for tough-to-control systems is reported. The method utilizes a moving grid, time infinite element based solution of the necessary conditions that describe an optimal controller for a system. The technique produces a discrete feedback controller. Real time laboratory experiments are now being conducted to demonstrate the viability of the method. The algorithm that results is being implemented in a microprocessor environment. Critical computational tasks are accomplished using a low cost, on-board, multiprocessor (INMOS T800 Transputers) and parallel processing. Progress to date validates the methodology presented. Applications of the technique to the control of highly flexible robotic appendages are suggested.

Patten, William Neff↗

State-space design of low-order stabilizers

An algorithm is presented for stabilizing a linear multivariable system with a controller of fixed dynamic order. This is an output feedback stabilization problem. The algorithm attempts to solve this by a sequence of approximate pole assignment problems. The approximation is driven by the optimization of an objective function consisting of a weighted sum of the condition number of the closed-loop eigenvectors and the norm of the difference between the computed and actual equivalent state-feedback controls.

Keel, L. H.↗

Passive dynamic controllers for nonlinear mechanical systems

A methodology for model-independant controller design for controlling large angular motion of multi-body dynamic systems is outlined. The controlled system may consist of rigid and flexible components that undergo large rigid body motion and small elastic deformations. Control forces/torques are applied to drive the system and at the same time suppress the vibration due to flexibility of the components. The proposed controller consists of passive second-order systems which may be designed with little knowledge of the system parameter, even if the controlled system is nonlinear. Under rather general assumptions, the passive design assures that the closed loop system has guaranteed stability properties. Unlike positive real controller design, stabilization can be accomplished without direct velocity feedback. In addition, the second-order passive design allows dynamic feedback controllers with considerable freedom to tune for desired system response, and to avoid actuator saturation. After developing the basic mathematical formulation of the design methodology, simulation results are presented to illustrate the proposed approach to a flexible six-degree-of-freedom manipulator.

Juang, Jer-Nan↗

Passive dynamic controllers for non-linear mechanical systems

A methodology for model-independent controller design for controlling large angular motion of multi-body dynamic systems is outlined.The controlled system may consist of rigid and flexible components that undergo large rigid body motion and small elastic deformations. Control forces/torques are applied to drive the system, and at the same time suppress the vibrations due to flexibility of the components. The proposed controller consists of passive second-order systems which may be designed with little knowledge of the system parameters, even if the controlled system is non-linear. Under rather general assumptions, the passive design assures that the closed loop system has guaranteed stability properties. Unlike positive real controller design, stabilization can be accomplished without direct velocity feedback. In addition, the second-order passive design allows dynamic feedback controllers with considerable freedom to tune for desired system response, and to avoid actuator saturation. After developing the basic mathematical formulation of the design methodology, simulation results are presented to illustrate the proposed approach applied to a flexible six-degree-of-freedom manipulator.

Juang, Jer-Nan↗

A controllability-stabilizability result for the NASA-IEEE Spacecraft Control Laboratory Experiment (SCOLE) configuration

A nonlinear distributed parameter model for the NASA-Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' Spacecraft Control Laboratory Experiment (SCOLE) configuration is considered. A linear feedback control law is proposed that points the line of sight of the antenna to any given target direction and at the same time stabilizes the oscillations of the entire flexible configuration.

Araya, Roberto↗

Tethered systems control

Viewgraphs on tethered systems control are presented. Topics covered include: rigid body simplifications; feedback control; quadratic optimal nonlinear control; quadratic optimal nonlinear controllers; Lyapunov-based nonlinear controllers; sensor/actuator options; tether control; and fuzzy logic control.

Nowlan, Dan↗

Simulation of a Controlled Airfoil with Jets

Numerical simulations of a two-dimensional airfoil, controlled by an applied moment in pitch and an airfoil controlled by jets, were investigated. These simulations couple the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and Euler's equations of rigid body motion, with an active control system. Controllers for both systems were designed to track altitude commands and were evaluated by simulating a closed-loop altitude step response using the coupled system. The airfoil controlled by a pitching moment used an optimal state feedback controller. A closed-loop simulation, of the airfoil with an applied moment, showed that the trajectories compared very well with quasi-steady aerodynamic theory, providing a measure of validation. The airfoil with jets used a controller designed by robust control methods. A linear plant model for this system was identified using open-loop data generated by the nonlinear coupled system. A closed-loop simulation of the airfoil with jets, showed good tracking of an altitude command. This simulation also showed oscillations in the control input as a result of dynamics not accounted for in the control design. This research work demonstrates how computational fluid dynamics, coupled with rigid body dynamics, and a control law can be used to prototype control systems in problematic nonlinear flight regimes.

Allan, Brian G.↗

Estimability and Regulability of Linear Systems

A linear state-space system will be said to be estimable if in estimating its state from its output the posterior error covariance matrix is strictly smaller than the prior covariance matrix. It will be said to be regulable if the quadratic cost of state feedback control is strictly smaller than the cost when no feedback is used. Estimability and regulability are shown to be dual properties, equivalent to the nonreducibility of the Kalman filter and of the optimal linear quadratic regulator, respectively.

Baram, Yoram↗

Active/Passive Control of Sound Radiation from Panels using Constrained Layer Damping

A hybrid passive/active noise control system utilizing constrained layer damping and model predictive feedback control is presented. This system is used to control the sound radiation of panels due to broadband disturbances. To facilitate the hybrid system design, a methodology for placement of constrained layer damping which targets selected modes based on their relative radiated sound power is developed. The placement methodology is utilized to determine two constrained layer damping configurations for experimental evaluation of a hybrid system. The first configuration targets the (4,1) panel mode which is not controllable by the piezoelectric control actuator, and the (2,3) and (5,2) panel modes. The second configuration targets the (1,1) and (3,1) modes. The experimental results demonstrate the improved reduction of radiated sound power using the hybrid passive/active control system as compared to the active control system alone.

Gibbs, Gary P.↗