Orbital Research Advanced Controls Group User Manual

Orbital Research Equipment

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Technology

Modern/Advanced Control

Nontraditional Control

Orbital Research’s Advanced Controls group has a wealth of

expertise and design capabilities across the entire range of

control system design philosophies – from highly advanced
nonlinear design techniques to nontraditional methods such as

artificial neural networks. The Advanced Control Group’s

strength lies in creating innovative solutions to difficult control

engineering problems by combining the different techniques in

novel ways. Though each of these techniques can be used in a

stand-alone fashion, more powerful and intelligent control

systems can be produced when they are designed to operate in
concert. These hybrid controllers are capable of effectively

controlling systems that are intractable to any single approach

and provides a level of flexibility and robustness that cannot be

achieved in any other way.

In addition to extensive knowledge of modern state space

control design techniques such as optimal and robust control, we

possess proprietary, cutting edge nonlinear control algorithms

that provide a level of performance, stability and robustness

unrivaled by any commercially available control algorithm. These

proprietary algorithms include computationally efficient adaptive
control algorithms that can be implemented in real time for

highly dynamic systems and nonlinear control algorithms that can

be readily applied to large numbers of real world systems.
For systems whose characteristics evolve smoothly over their

operating range (i.e., changing fuel levels or component wear),

we have several linear adaptive control algorithms including Self

Tuning Regulators (STR), Model Reference Adaptive Systems
(MRAS) and a computationally efficient Generalized Predictive

Control (GPC). We have developed and demonstrated control

systems for suppression of aircraft wing flutter, missile tracking

telescopes and distributed flow effectors.
For more difficult challenges such as the design of fault tolerant

control systems for aircraft, we have a family of nonsmooth

control algorithms based upon the principle of feedback

domination and Lyapunov stability. These algorithms are not only

capable of accommodating systems whose dynamics change in a

nonsmooth fashion but can also control unstable nonlinear

systems that are otherwise uncontrollable with any other existing
control techniques. These nonlinear controllers have

characteristics that make them particularly useful for controlling

underactuated nonlinear systems such as gun stabilizers on light-

weight, flexible gun mount.

Many systems are not readily controllable by standard control

approaches. For example, cooperative control of a group of

autonomous vehicles lacks the inherent input/output nature

assumed by traditional control design

approaches. Often, all that can be

specified a priori is some desired
outcome, not the specific actions of each

member of the group. In other cases like

Underactuated control permits effective

control of flexible light weight structures
such as stabilized gun mounts

O

rbital Research’s Advanced Controls Group creates custom control solutions
for our customers by leveraging our portfolio of proprietary control algorithms

with our extensive experience in state of the art control design. We offer a
complete range of control solutions that combines our expertise in modern control
techniques, advanced nonlinear control approaches, nontraditional methods and
artificial intelligence with our expertise in automation, GNC, and autonomous
vehicle control. We are dedicated to helping our customers achieve their goals
and develop a competitive advantage for their products by providing unmatched
control design capabilities and outstanding engineering solutions.

State-of-the-art control innovations

enabling tomorrow’s products

Swarm intelligence

enables sensor
fuzed sub mun it ion s

to collaboratively
prosecu te target s

Orbital Research, Inc.
4415 Euclid Ave., Suite 500

leveland, OH 44103-3733

C

Contact: Frederick J. Lisy, Ph.D.

Telephone (216) 649-0399

E-mail [email protected]

www.orbitalresearch.com

Copyright 2003

Rev: RMK-11-07-03

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