Discrete-Time Model Reference Tracking Control for A Class of Combined Spacecraft: A High-Order Fully Actuated System Approach

This paper studies discrete-time high-order fully actuated (HOFA) model reference tracking (MRT) control for a class of combined spacecraft simulators (CSSs) with disturbances. Firstly, a discrete-time second-order fully actuated system modeling of the CSS system is carried out and generalized to a general discrete-time HOFA system (HOFAS) with disturbances, and the MRT control problem is formulated. Then, by designing a discrete-time HOFA MRT controller consisting of feedback and feedforward components, a linear closed-loop system with an arbitrarily assignable eigenstructure can be obtained. The convergence of the tracking error is proved by introducing the Sylvester equation condition and final value theorem of discrete-time sequence. Further, using the arbitrariness of the eigenstructure configuration, the control performance can be improved via a multi-objective optimization design. Finally, the MRT control of CSS system with disturbances is successfully realized using the proposed technique and comparative simulations are carried out, thus verifying the effectiveness and advantages of the technique.