Research in stability and control theory
Linear and nonlinear systems, and differential equations for control and stability theory
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Linear and nonlinear systems, and differential equations for control and stability theory
Optimal control of nonlinear dynamic system in presence of noise
The control of an airbreathing turbojet engine by an onboard digital computer is studied. The approach taken is to model the turbojet engine as a linear, multivariable system whose parameters vary with engine operating environment. From this model adaptive closed-loop or feedback control laws are designed and applied to the acceleration of the turbojet engine.
Studies of human orientation and manual control in high order systems are summarized. Data cover techniques for measuring and altering orientation perception, role of non-visual motion sensors, particularly the vestibular and tactile sensors, use of motion cues in closed loop control of simple stable and unstable systems, and advanced computer controlled display systems.
Deterministic optimal control, discussing Bellman dynamic programming method, Pontryagin maximum principle, orbital transfer, interplanetary guidance, etc
Deterministic optimal control, discussing Bellman dynamic programming method, Pontryagin maximum principle, orbital transfer, interplanetary guidance, etc
The optimal control model for pilot-vehicle systems has been extended to handle certain types of human decision tasks. The model for decision making incorporates the observation noise, optimal estimation, and prediction concepts that form the basis of the model for control behavior. Experiments are described for the following task situations: (1) single decision tasks; (2) two decision tasks; and (3) simultaneous manual control and decision tasks. Using fixed values for model parameters, single-task and two-task decision performance scores to within an accuracy of 10 percent can be predicted. The experiment on simultaneous control and decision indicates the presence of task interference in this situation, but the results are not adequate to allow a conclusive test of the predictive capability of the model.
A theoretical convergence for grasp control along with experimental results are presented.
A digital computer program (ORACLS) for implementing the optimal regulator theory approach to the design of controllers for linear time-invariant systems is described. The user-oriented program employs the latest numerical techniques and is applicable to both the digital and continuous control problems.
Application of optimal control to launch vehicle computer program
Liapunov approach to nonlinear dynamic systems controllability, deriving conditions for linear dynamic systems
In the current work, multi-function beam control arrays have been fabricated and have successfully demonstrated amplitude control of transmitted beams in the W and D bands (75-170 GHz). While these arrays are designed to provide beam control under DC bias operation, new designs for high-speed electronic and optical control are under development. These arrays will fill a need for high-speed watt-level beam switches in pulsed reflectometer systems under development for magnetic fusion plasma diagnostics. A second experimental accomplishment of the current work is the demonstration in the 100-170 GHz (D band) frequency range of a new technique for the measurement of the transmission phase as well as amplitude. Transmission data can serve as a means to extract ('de-embed') the grid parameters; phase information provides more complete data to assist in this process. Additional functions of the array beam controller yet to be tested include electronically controlled steering and focusing of a reflected beam. These have application in the areas of millimeter-wave electronic scanning radar and reflectometry, respectively.
The application of Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) techniques to the design of the 70-m axis servos is described. Linear quadratic optimal control and Kalman filter theory are reviewed, and model development and verification are discussed. Families of optimal controller and Kalman filter gain vectors were generated by varying weight parameters. Performance specifications were used to select final gain vectors.
Analysis of Saturn booster flight control system stability by linear feedback theory with emphasis on root locus technique
Definitions of extremaloids in relation to optimal control problems and Lagrange problems based on Pontryagin principles
Optimal control models for design of structures with weights minimized by constraints involving fixed eigenvalues
Infimum principle for dynamic optimal control with nonscalar valued cost criteria, rederiving Kalman-Bucy filter
Constructive existence theorems, function approximations, and computational algorithms developed for optimal control problems