SENSOR AND ACTUATOR SELECTION FOR LARGE SPACE STRUCTURE CONTROL

This paper presents an algorithm that aids the controls engineer in specifying a sensor and actuator configuration for regulation of large-scale, linear, stochastic systems such as a large space structure model. The algorithm uses a linear quadratic Gaussian controller, an efficient weight-selection technique based on successive approximation, and a measure of sensor and actuator effectiveness to specify a final sensor and actuator configuration. This configuration enables the closed-loop system to meet output specifications with minimal input power. The algorithm involves no complex gradient calculations and is numerically tractable for large linear models, as demonstrated by the solar optical telescope example in this paper. Additionally, the algorithm provides the controls engineer with information on the important design issues of actuator sizing, reliability, redundancy, and optimal number. © 1990 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., All rights reserved.