On Some Issues Concerning the Adjoint Simulation of Guidance Systems

Abstract

The adjoint simulation method is a well established and efficient tool for the preliminary analysis and design of conceptual guidance systems. Generally, the method is applicable when the guidance system is driven by either deterministic and/or stochastic signals. However, the focus of this paper will be on deterministic input signals. We start by reviewing the conventional approach to the method of adjoints and highlight the fact that problems may arise when a certain class of input signals are considered using this approach. In particular, for this class of input signals, we demonstrate, through numerical experiments, that there is no numerical advantage in adopting the adjoint simulation method for guidance system analysis over standard simulation methods. Consequently, we propose two alternative approaches to the conventional adjoint method that may be utilised for this class of problems. The main aim of these alternative approaches is to restore the above numerical advantage. However, when doing this, a new interpretation of the adjoint results must be considered. Examples concerning the performance analysis of a generic guidance system are included to demonstrate the process of solution using these approaches. © 2012 by Commonwealth of Australia.