Filtering based multiple-model control for satellites in the presence of actuation sign errors

This paper presents a new filtering based multiple-model control scheme for satellite attitude tracking control in the presence of sign errors in actuator response. As a result of a software or hardware fault, such actuation sign errors which are uncertain in occurring time instants and patterns may lead to the loss of satellites. The control design employs two steps: first, a bank of control laws are developed, each of which can ensure the system stability and asymptotic attitude tracking properties when the system operates under the corresponding actuation sign pattern; then a control switching mechanism is set up to find out the most appreciate control law as the applied control signal with a minimal performance cost index function. The used performance cost functions are calculated from the estimation errors generated by using a stable filter. Simulation results for a satellite with four reaction wheels are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed multiple-model control scheme.