In this dissertation, we discuss the Distributed Spacecraft Attitude Control System Simulator (DSACSS) testbed developed at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University for the purpose of investigating various control techniques for single and multiple spacecraft. DSACSS is comprised of two independent hardware-in-the-loop simulators and one software spacecraft simulator. The two hardware-in-the-loop spacecraft simulators have similar subsystems as flight-ready spacecraft (e.g. command and data handling; communications; attitude determination and control; power; payload; and guidance and navigation). The DSACSS framework is a flexible testbed for investigating a variety of spacecraft control techniques, especially control scenarios involving coupled attitude and orbital motion. The attitude hardware simulators along with numerical simulations assist in the development and evaluation of Lyapunov based asymptotically stable, nonlinear attitude controllers with three reaction wheels as the control device. The angular rate controller successfully tracks a time varying attitude trajectory. The Modified Rodrigues Parmater (MRP) attitude controller results in successfully tracking the angular rates and MRP attitude vector for a time-varying attitude trajectory. The attitude controllers successfully track the reference attitude in real-time with hardware similar to flight-ready spacecraft. Numerical simulations and the attitude hardware simulators assist in the development and evaluation of a robust, asymptotically stable, nonlinear attitude controller with three reaction wheels as the actuator for attitude control. The MRPs are chosen to represent the attitude in the development of the controller. The robust spacecraft attitude controller successfully tracks a time-varying reference attitude trajectory while bounding system uncertainties. The results of a Global Positioning System (GPS) hardware-in-the-loop simulation of two spacecraft flying in formation are presented. The simulations involve a chief spacecraft in a low Earth orbit (LEO), while a deputy spacecraft maintains an orbit position relative to the chief spacecraft. In order to maintain the formation an orbit correction maneuver (OCM) for the deputy spacecraft is required. The control of the OCM is accomplished using a classical orbital element (COE) feedback controller and simulating continual impulsive thrusting for the deputy spacecraft. The COE controller requires the relative position of the six orbital elements. The deputy communicates with the chief spacecraft to obtain the current orbit position of the chief spacecraft, which is determined by a numerical orbit propagator. The position of the deputy spacecraft is determined from a GPS receiver that is connected to a GPS hardware-in-the-loop simulator. The GPS simulator creates a radio frequency (RF) signal based on a simulated trajectory, which results in the GPS receiver calculating the navigation solution for the simulated trajectory. From the relative positions of the spacecraft the COE controller calculates the OCM for the deputy spacecraft. The formation flying simulation successfully demonstrates the closed-loop hardware-in-the-loop GPS simulator. This dissertation focuses on the development of the DSACSS facility including the development and implementation of a closed-loop GPS simulator and evaluation of nonlinear feedback attitude and orbit control laws using real-time hardware-in-the-loop simulators. / Ph. D.

In this thesis, black-box models describing the quadcopter system dynamics for attitude control have been estimated using closed-loop data. A quadcopter is a naturally unstable multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system and is therefore an interesting platform to test and evaluate ideas in system identification and control theory on. The estimated attitude models have been shown to explain the output signals well enough during simulations to properly tune a PID controller for outdoor flight purposes. With data collected in closed loop during outdoor flights, knowledge about the controller and IMU measurements, three decoupled models have been estimated for the angles and angular rates in roll, pitch and yaw. The models for roll and pitch have been forced to have the same model structure and orders since this reflects the geometry of the quadcopter. The models have been validated by simulating the closed-loop system where they could explain the output signals well. The estimated models have then been used to design attitude controllers to stabilize the quadcopter around the hovering state. Three PID controllers have been implemented on the quadcopter and evaluated in simulation before being tested during both indoor and outdoor flights. The controllers have been shown to stabilize the quadcopter with good reference tracking. However, the performance of the pitch controller could be improved further as there have been small oscillations present that may indicate a stronger correlation between the roll and pitch channels than assumed.

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / During an imaging pass of a remote sensing satellite, the satellite’s attitude has to be controlled so that the imager bore-sight sweeps out equal distances over time and so that images with a square aspect ratio are produced. The satellite attitude control system uses forward motion compensation (FMC) and time delay and integration (TDI) techniques to increase the quality of images. The motion of the scene relative to the satellite camera can be described by a two dimensional translation motion and a rotation about the camera bore-sight. This thesis describes an algorithm for measuring ground motion from viewfinder video data that can aid the satellite control system during imaging missions. The algorithm makes use of existing motion-from-video techniques – it operates in a hierarchical, feature-tracking framework. Features are identified on camera frames, and correspondences on consecutive frames are found by the Lucas and Kanade algorithm. A pyramidal image representation enables the estimation of large motions. The resultant sparse disparity map is used to estimate the three motion parameters, using a least squares fit to the projected motion equations. The algorithm was developed and implemented as part of the MSMI project. Results of tests carried out on simulated satellite viewfinder data (using the Matrix Sensor camera that was also developed for the MSMI project) confirms that the requirements are met.

This dissertation addresses the problem of rigid-body attitude tracking control under three scenarios of high relevance to many aerospace guidance and control applications: adaptive attitude-tracking control law development for a spacecraft with time-varying inertia parameters, velocity-free attitude stabilization using only vector measurements for feedback, and smooth angular velocity observer design for attitude tracking in the absence of angular velocity measurements. Inertia matrix changes in spacecraft applications often occur due to fuel depletion or mass displacement in a flexible or deployable spacecraft. As such, an adaptive attitude control algorithm that delivers consistent performance when faced with uncertain time-varying inertia parameters is of significant interest. This dissertation presents a novel adaptive control algorithm that directly compensates for inertia variations that occur as either pure functions of the control input, or as functions of time and/or the state. Another important problem considered in this dissertation pertains to rigid-body attitude stabilization of a spacecraft when only a set of inertial sensor measurements are available for feedback. A novel gyro-free attitude stabilization solution is presented that directly utilizes unit vector measurements obtained from inertial sensors without relying on observers to reconstruct the spacecraft's attitude or angular velocity. As the third major contribution of this dissertation, the problem of attitude tracking control in the absence of angular velocity measurements is investigated through angular velocity observer (estimator) design. A new angular velocity observer is presented which is smoothed and ensures asymptotic convergence of the estimation errors irrespective of the initial true states of the spacecraft. The combined implementation of a separately designed proportional-derivative type controller using estimates generated by the observer results in global asymptotic stability of the overall closed-loop tracking error dynamics. Accordingly, a separation-type property is established for the rigid-body attitude dynamics, the first such result to the author's best knowledge, using a smooth (switching-free) observer formulation. / text

Dans cette thèse, les problématiques de la modélisation et du contrôle robuste de l’attitude des grandes structures spatiales flexibles sont considérées. Afin de satisfaire les performances de pointage requises dans les scénarios des futures missions spatiales, nous proposons d’optimiser directement une loi de commande d’ordre réduit sur un modèle de validation d’ordre élevé et des critères qui exploitent directement la structure du modèle. Ainsi, les travaux de cette thèse sont naturellement divisés en deux parties : une partie relative à l’obtention d’un modèle dynamique judicieusement structuré du véhicule spatial qui servira à l’étape de synthèse ; une seconde partie concernant l’obtention de la loi de commande.Ces travaux sont illustrés sur l’exemple académique du système masses-ressort, qui est la représentation la plus simple d’un système flexible à un degré de liberté. En complément, un cas d’étude sur un satellite géostationnaire est traité pour valider les approches sur un exemple plus réaliste d’une problématique industrielle. / In this thesis, modeling and robust attitude control problems of large flexible space structures are considered. To meet the required pointing performance of future space missions scenarios, we propose to directly optimize a reduced order control law on high order model validation and criteria that directly exploit the model structure. Thus, the work of this thesis is naturally divided into two parts : one part on obtaining a wisely structured dynamic model of the spacecraft to be used in the synthesis step, a second part about getting the law control. This work is illustrated on the example of the academic spring-masses system, which is the simplest representation of a one degree of freedom flexible system. In addition, a geostationary satellite study case is processed to validate developed approaches on a more realistic example of an industrial problem.

[pt] Controle de estabilidade é uma técnica aplicada para aumentar a segurança em veículos automotivos. Ele compreende não apenas controle de guinada como controle de rolagem, principalmente em veículos altos como caminhões. Uma tendência na indústria automobilística já consagrada em sistemas robóticos de exploração são os veículos elétricos que possuem motores elétricos independentes em cada roda. Sua característica de não emitir qualquer poluente os torna ambientalmente atraentes e, devido à forma de atuação, tendem a ser mecanicamente menos complexos. Os controles de estabilidade atuais visam prevenir que o veículo chegue a uma situação de instabilidade. No entanto, veículos em alta velocidade que encontrem obstáculos nos terrenos podem perder o contato com o solo. Nessa situação, os controles de estabilidade atuais nada podem fazer para garantir um retorno seguro para o terreno. Este trabalho apresenta um algoritmo de detecção de descolamento da roda para identificação do início da fase balística e consequente determinação da ação necessária para aumentar as chances de um retorno seguro ao chão. São usados apenas sensores de corrente e velocidade dos motores para a detecção. O controle por roda de reação é aplicado ao veículo para estabilização durante a fase balística. O algoritmo também é capaz de estimar o torque externo aplicado sobre a roda usando os mesmo sensores utilizados para o controle de torque dos motores, tornando a técnica uma ferramenta sem custos adicionais ao sistema. Os algoritmos de controle e detecção apresentados foram testados experimentalmente e em um simulador desenvolvido para a pesquisa usando o modelo de um veículo robótico de sessenta quilogramas com quatro rodas independentes atuadas por meio de motores elétricos de corrente contínua. Os resultados obtidos mostram o potencial da técnica para futuras aplicações. / [en] Stability control is a known algorithm used to increase safety in passenger vehicles. It comprises not only yaw control but rollover as well, mainly in vehicles with high centers of gravity. Another already established trend in the automobile industry are electric vehicles with independently driven wheels. Its zero-emitting qualities have made them environmentally attractive and, due to their drivetrain design, they tend to be mechanically less complex. Stability controls used nowadays work to prevent the vehicle from reaching unstable situations. Nonetheless, high speed vehicles hitting obstacles may lose contact with the ground. In these situations, none of the existing stability controls can guarantee safe landing during ballistic motion. This work presents an algorithm for flying wheel detection to help identify ballistic motion tendencies and therefore determine the appropriate action to increase the odds of a safe landing. Current sensors and encoders are used by the algorithm. A reaction wheel based control is proposed to stabilize and adjust the pitch angle during ballistic motion and set up the vehicle to a better position to return to land. The flying wheel detection algorithm can also estimate external torques acting on the wheel using the same sensors already installed in the motor for current control, making it a costless technique. The detection algorithm and pitch control algorithm presented were tested experimentally and in a simulator developed for the research. The results show the potential of the algorithms presented for future implementations.

Depuis les tous premiers jours de l'ère spatiale, les satellites artificiels ont été considérés comme un outil pour la résolution de problèmes scientifiques et pratiques, notamment dans l'astronomie, l'observation de la Terre et les télécommunications. Traditionnellement, les gros satellites artificiels, avec une masse allant de plusieurs centaines de kilogrammes jusqu'à plusieurs tonnes, ont été utilisés pour ces besoins. Un élément clef pour permettre le succès de ces missions spatiales est un contrôle précis de l'attitude du satellite. Afin d'assurer la haute précision de pointage, un système de contrôle d'attitude et d'orbite (SCAO) repose sur les données fournies par un instrument optoélectronique appelé un senseur stellaire (ou Star Tracker, ST). L'utilisation des étoiles éloignées comme points de repère permet la détermination de l'attitude du satellite avec une précision de l'ordre de la seconde d'arc. Beaucoup de travaux sur la miniaturisation des sous-systèmes des satellites artificiels ont été entrepris au court des vingt dernières années. Cela a permis à l'industrie et aux passionnés de développer et construire des satellites de quelques kilogrammes pouvant accomplir de véritables missions spatiales. Centaines de ces satellites appelés « nano-satellites » sont lancé chaque année et certains parmi eux peut être considéré comme un replacement des gros satellites. Cependant, dû à de grosses contraintes de masse et de volume définis par les standards na no-satellites, tel que lU-3U CubeSat Design Specification, l'intégration de senseur stellaire dans ces nano-satellites n'était jusqu'à présent pas possible, limitant l'application de ces plateformes. Dans ce travail, senseur stellaire est considéré comme un système composé par un module caméra et un module de traitement d'image. les solutions possibles pour chaque module sont analysées séparément dans un contexte de miniaturisation de ST par modélisation et simulation. Elles sont ensuite évaluées ensemble comme les prototypes fonctionnels dans un installation hardware-in-the-loop (Hll). Cette recherche aborde plusieurs problèmes liés à la miniaturisation d'optique de caméra et du capteur d'image à pixel actif (active pixel sensor, APS), tels que la sensibilité réduite à la lumière des étoiles et l'incertitude de position des centroïdes à cause de la distorsions et l'aberrations chromatique d'optique miniaturisée. L'évaluation dans l'installation Hll se concentre autour des performances du module de traitement et plus particulièrement sur les performances du logiciel ST dans le mode d'opération « perdu dans l'espace» ("Iost-in-space", LIS). Une contribution originale de cette recherche est un algorithme de reconnaissance d'étoiles (StarID) nommé « RING-O » développé et breveté par l'auteur. Par rapport aux autres algorithmes existants, RING-O peut facilement être adapté et ajusté à différentes caméras et plateformes de traitement. Des implémentations logicielles d'algorithme ont été effectuées sur deux prototypes, l'un basé sur smartphone et l'autre basé sur une plateforme Xilinx Zynq, afin de réaliser une analyse des goulets et d'extraire les performances du système. Optimisé pour les plateformes multi-coeurs, RING-O garantit les délais d'acquisition initiale d'attitude comparable et souvent plus petits que les délais d'acquisition déclaré par les autres développeurs de senseur stellaires européens. / From the early days of the space age, satellites were considered as a solution for many scientific and practical tasks, notably astronomy, Earth observation and telecommunication. Traditionally and to the present day, mostly large satellites with a mass from several hundred kilograms to several tons are used for these purposes. The key success factor of such space missions is a fine control of satellite’s attitude. To ensure high pointing accuracy, satellite’s attitude determination and control subsystem (ADCS) relies on precise three-dimensional attitude data provided by an opto-electronic instrument called star tracker (ST). The use of stars as reference objects allows to determine the satellite’s attitude in real time with an arc-second precision.A significant work on miniaturization of satellite subsystems carried out in the past twenty years, allows us today to build a complete satellite with a mass of only a few kilograms. An increasing number of successful nano- and picosatellite missions demonstrates constantly improving capabilities of modern miniaturized satellite platforms. However, until recently, integration of a star tracker into a nanosatellite was not possible because of a large size of the device and relatively high power consumption, and that limited possible applications of the nanosatellites. In attempt to change the situation, in the last five years about a dozen of miniature star tracker prototypes, suitable for nanosatellite platforms, were proposed by various developers. Some were successfully tested in space, yet most prototypes, including the tiniest ones, are still at the development stage.A modern star tracker is a system, that can be represented as two modules, a digital camera module and a processing module. Use of a compact camera lens and a small-size image sensor allows to significantly reduce overall mass and size of the device, and at the same time, may cause significant image quality deterioration, due to increased distortion, uncompensated spherical and chromatic aberration, lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and overall lower light sensitivity of the camera module. Thus, embedded software of the processing module, responsible for pre-processing, star identification and attitude calculation, should take into account the limitations imposed by the miniaturization of the camera module. At the same time, hardware architecture of the processing module should have the capacity to perform necessary correction of the digital image in real time, and to ensure stability and expected performance of the star identification and attitude calculation routines.The goal of hardware and software prototyping of a miniature star tracker system, carried out in this work, is to evaluate various design solutions, that could be brought into the camera or into the processing module, in order to help the miniaturization of the system. Another goal is to analyze the impact of every hardware and software component on the overall performance of a miniaturized star tracker system. Among the list of star tracker characteristics, the initial attitude estimation time and the attitude output rate became the focus of the research. Current work addresses possible performance bottlenecks, that may appear on any step of star tracker operation, from capturing starlight to calculation of components of the attitude quaternion, and proposes an original solution to speed-up the star identification routine.

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1981. / Microfiche copy available in Archives and Barker / Bibliography: leaves 108-109. / by William Neil McCasland. / M.S.

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1979. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND AERONAUTICS. / Bibliography: leaf 72. / by Yuji Hanawa. / M.S.

Jia Peng. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-87). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.iv / Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Overview of Output Regulation Problem --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Attitude Tracking Control of Rigid Spacecraft --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Overview of Continuous-time Nonlinear H∞ Control --- p.4 / Chapter 1.4 --- Overview of Discrete-time Nonlinear Hq∞ Control --- p.6 / Chapter 1.5 --- Flight Control in Windshears --- p.8 / Chapter 1.6 --- Nonlinear Benchmark System --- p.9 / Chapter 1.7 --- Outline of the Work --- p.11 / Chapter 2 --- Attitude Control and Asymptotic Disturbance Rejection of Rigid Spacecraft --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1 --- Model Description --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2 --- Problem Formulation --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3 --- Preliminaries of General Framework for Global Robust Output Regulation --- p.17 / Chapter 2.4 --- Application of Global Robust Output Regulation --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Case I: without unknown parameters --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Case II: with unknown parameters --- p.26 / Chapter 2.5 --- Simulation --- p.34 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Case I: without unknown parameters --- p.34 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Case II: with unknown parameters --- p.36 / Chapter 2.6 --- Conclusions --- p.38 / Chapter 3 --- Application of Approximation Continuous-time Nonlinear H∞ Control Law --- p.45 / Chapter 3.1 --- Preliminaries of Approximation Continuous-time Nonlinear Hq∞ Control Law --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2 --- Disturbance Attenuation of Flight Control System in Windshears --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Design of Control Law --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Computer Simulation --- p.56 / Chapter 3.3 --- Conclusions --- p.57 / Chapter 4 --- Application of Approximation Discrete-time Nonlinear H∞ Control Law --- p.65 / Chapter 4.1 --- Preliminaries of Approximation Discrete-time Nonlinear H∞ Control Law --- p.66 / Chapter 4.2 --- Explicit Expression of u --- p.69 / Chapter 4.3 --- Disturbance Attenuation of RTAC System --- p.73 / Chapter 4.4 --- Computer Simulation --- p.78 / Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusions --- p.80 / Chapter 5 --- Conclusions --- p.83 / Bibliography --- p.85 / A Programs --- p.88 / Vita --- p.112