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Optimal control of satellite attitude acquisition by a random search algorithm on a hybrid computer

Published: 30 April 1968 Publication History

Abstract

Computer implemented parameter search techniques for optimization problems have become useful engineering design tools over the past few years. Many, if not most of the techniques, are based on deterministic schemes which have inherent limitations when the system is nonlinear. Random search techniques have been suggested which propose to overcome some of the difficulties. References 1--3 give good general discussions of the merits of random techniques. Reference 4 develops an algorithm, based on random methods, to solve the difficult mixed two-point boundary value problem that results from an application of the Maximum Principle. The method was shown to be remarkably effective in solving a fairly complex fifth-order, nonlinear orbital-transfer problem. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the application of the random search algorithm to a still more complex problem to demonstrate its feasibility. The example chosen was the three-dimensional, large-angle, single-axis attitude acquisition control problem in which it is desired to minimize fuel expenditure to accomplish the acquisition. The equations are highly nonlinear since small angle assumptions cannot be made; the control torques are assumed to be limited. This problem is more complex than the orbit-transfer problem in that the dimension of the state vector is greater by 1 and the number of degrees of freedom allowed the control action is greater. The same acquisition problem was discussed in Reference 5 but a proportional control law was assumed. A random parameter search was used in that paper to find the optimal set of feedback constants for the given control system structure so as to minimize system performance (fuel). Systems performances will be compared to indicate the striking improvement in performance with optimal nonlinear control.

References

[1]
D C Karnopp Random search techniques for optimization problems Automatica vol 1 Pergamon Press 1963 pp 111--121
[2]
I N Bocharov A A Feldbaum Automatic optimizer for the search for the smallest of several minima Avtomatika i Telemekhanika vol 23 no 3 March 1962
[3]
R R Favreau R G Franks Statistical optimization Proceedings 2nd International Analog Computer Conference 1958
[4]
E C Stewart W P Kavanaugh D H Brocker Study of a global search algorithm for optimal control Fifth Congress of International Association for Analog Computation Lausanne Switzerland August 1967
[5]
A Sabroff R Farrenhopf A Frew M Gran Investigation of the acquisition problem in satellite attitude control Wright-Patterson Technical Report AFFDL-TR-65-115 December 1965

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AFIPS '68 (Spring): Proceedings of the April 30--May 2, 1968, spring joint computer conference
April 1968
550 pages
ISBN:9781450378970
DOI:10.1145/1468075
Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for components of this work owned by others than ACM must be honored. Abstracting with credit is permitted. To copy otherwise, or republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. Request permissions from [email protected]

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  • AFIPS: American Federation of Information Processing Societies

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Association for Computing Machinery

New York, NY, United States

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Published: 30 April 1968

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AFIPS '68 (Spring)
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  • AFIPS
April 30 - May 2, 1968
New Jersey, Atlantic City

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