Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 July 2016
This paper deals with the problem of determining an
optimal controller which minimises the
norm of a given aircraft
while guaranteeing that an upper limit of its
norm is not exceeded. The
problem is tackled by means of a linear matrix
inequality formulation, which allows one to
constrain the eigenvalues of the model to within a
fixed region of the complex plane. Key features of
the method are the possibility of simultaneously
1. keeping the maximum value of the input demand under control
2. taking flying quality requirements into account
3. assuring a minimum level of system robustness against uncertainties of the model.
The approach is simple to handle and is well suited to the design of aircraft stability augmentation systems. A discussion of two case studies demonstrates the effectiveness of the procedure.