Practical Methods for Robust Multivariable Control

Abstract

Abstract : The theme of the research has been making modern control theory work. The product of the research has been theory, algorithms and software applicable to multivariable feedback control problems in which there are design constraints requiring robust attainment of stability and control performance objectives in the face of both structured and unstructured uncertainty. Advances in the past two years have included relative-error methods for system identification, model reduction and control, better algorithms for H- and H2 control computations and new results on the analysis of stability robustness in the presence of several uncertain real parameters. Although the research has been aimed primarily at developing basic concepts, theory and methodology for robust control design, the theory that is emerging from the research is already beginning to play a significant role in facilitating the control design process in a variety of aerospace engineering applications where robust performance is prerequisite, including aircraft stability augmentation systems, highly maneuverable aircraft design, missile guidance systems, and precision pointing and tracking systems.