Adjoint Analysis of Guidance Systems with Nonstandard Inputs

Abstract

The adjoint simulation method is a very efficient tool for the preliminary analysis and design of conceptual guidance systems. A pragmatic approach to adjoint simulation is based on the application of a set of rules to a block diagram representation of the system. These rules were first proposed by Laning and Battin. Knowledge and implementation of these rules on the guidance system block diagram allow the construction of an associated adjoint block diagram. This latter block diagram may then be used as a basis for generating, in a rapid and efficient manner, the desired performance data associated with the guidance system. Inherent in this process are rules stipulating how the guidance system inputs are to be treated to properly derive adjoint system outputs. However, the success of this approach is contingent on the nature and complexity of these inputs. Using numerical examples, we establish the basic requirements that must be met by the inputs to facilitate efficient adjoint analysis. For those input signals not meeting these requirements, we propose a new approach. As a practical illustration of the new approach, we investigate the miss distance performance of a generic interceptor against a weaving ballistic missile entering the atmosphere.