AUT Journal of Electrical Engineering

AUT Journal of Electrical Engineering

Hybrid Fault-Tolerant Controller Based Nonlinear Model Predictive Control For a Flexible Satellite

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
1 Department of Aerospace Engineering , University of Isfahan ,Isfahan ,Iran
2 Department of Aerospace Engineering ,Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
10.22060/eej.2026.25440.5933
Abstract
This brief discusses the stabilization of a flexible satellite's attitude while considering actuator dynamics. It employs a constrained Lyapunov Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (LNMPC) method combined with the Feedback Linearization Technique (FBL). FBL is chosen for its ability to cancel the system's nonlinearity, making the control law easier to implement and more effective. more over the LNMPC is not able to nullify the low frequencies so it is necessary to combining it with a nonlinear controller. This composite controller aims for high accuracy in tracking the reference trajectory and, due to the LNMPC, provides tremendous robustness against unknown disturbances. The hybrid controller is designed to steer the satellite's attitude and bring the reaction wheel's angular momentum to zero to save energy. This paper addresses various challenges faced by satellites during their missions, including uncertainties, external torque disturbances, actuator faults, and vibrations of appendages. The performance of the proposed controller is analyzed while considering all these challenges. The active set method is used as the optimization algorithm, more over a nonlinear disturbance observer named Cascade Extended State Observer ( Cascade ESO) is introduced to overcome the external disturbance and improve the performance of the controller and closed-loop stability is addressed using a candidate Lyapunov function.
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