Self-Organizing Spacecraft Attitude Control

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Report Number: AFFDL TR 65-141
Author(s): Barron, Roger L., Schalkowsky, Samuel, Davies, John M., Snyder, Richard F.
Corporate Author(s): Adaptronics, Inc.
Laboratory: Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory
Date of Publication: 1965-09
Pages: 128
Contract: AF 33(615)-1864
DoD Project: 8225
DoD Task: 822508
Identifier: AD0475167

Abstract:
Results are presented from an investigation of self-organizing attitude control and stabilization for spacecraft. Self-organizing (SOC) control is achieved through high-speed assessments of performance values of successive random experiments with respect to a generalized control criterion, followed by a reward-punishment reinforcement process to obtain on-line synthesis of plant actuation signals. The logic is of the Probability State Variable (PSV) type, i.e., reinforcement signals are used to bias the probabilities associated with the SOC experiments. Convergence of SOC output signals to appropriate, time-varying levels generally occurs within several milliseconds, resulting in rapid, well damped, stable control over a very wide range of controller, plant, and disturbance characteristics (including induced artificial failures). A laboratory experimental self-organizing controller has been fabricated. Evaluations of this SOC have been conducted using single-axis analog computer simulations of a representative orbital vehicle. Compared to a conventional controller for this vehicle, the SOC produced superior transient and comparable steady-state performance. The SOC adapted to a range of plant characteristics over which the conventional controller did not provide uniformly satisfactory performance.

Provenance: Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control

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