Multiple-horizon multiple-model predictive control of electromagnetic tethered satellite system

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the control of the electromagnetic tethered satellite system using a Model Predictive Control (MPC) scheme. The electromagnetic tethered satellite system is actuated by electromagnetic coils to generate controlling forces. The dynamical model of the system is described in high and low levels of accuracy, which are used to design the control framework. Multiple-Horizon Multiple-Model Predictive Control approach is employed to drive the formation to the desired state. Not only does the presented control law satisfy input and output constraints but also has appropriate characteristics in the sense of optimality. The main benefit of using Multiple-Horizon Multiple-Model Predictive Control is having lower computational burden than the classical MPC. The numerical simulation results are presented and compared with sliding mode control to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control method and its advantage over both classical MPC and sliding mode control methods. The obtained results show dramatic reductions in computational time and consumed energy compared to the classical MPC and sliding model control methods, respectively.