Feedback Control for Slew Maneuver Using On-Off Thrusters

Abstract

A new output-feedback control approach for the single-axis rotational maneuver of a e exible structure by use of on‐off thrusters is discussed. The target structural model represents a large-space-structure type with relatively lownaturalfrequencies.Thelargeovershootinducedbyphaseerroroftheappliedtorqueinputisminimizedbythe newcontrollaw.Thethrusteroutputismodulatedin pulsewidthso thattheoutputproe leissimilartocontinuously smoothed control histories. The main idea of the new controller is based on a closed-loop switching function that is constructed from a near-minimum-time output-feedback tracking control law. The proposed control law has advantages of robustness as an output-feedback law as well as enhanced performance for the slew maneuver of e exible structures by use of on ‐off actuators.