Matrixx: Application to large space structure control design problems

Large space structures present one of the most difficult environments to a control design software package, because of high order, low damping ratios and large amounts of data. This paper indicates how MATRIXX has been used to solve problems of order up-to 150 relatively easily. MATRIXX is a Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) system to perform the steps in the control design cycle starting from system modeling to data analysis, identification, control synthesis and simulation. The package features a powerful matrix interpreter, a user-friendly environment with device independent graphics, state-of-the-art numerical algorithms for reliable computations and user-transparent file management. The design and application MATRIXX user interface and numerical algorithms for Large Space Structures are described and illustrated. Though MATRIXX has also been used for simulation, data analysis and system identification in Large Space Structures, only the Control Design Capability is shown.