Robust Optimal Controller Design for Generic Hypersonic Vehicles

In this paper, a robust optimal controller design problem is investigated for the longitudinal dynamics of generic hypersonic vehicles. The vehicle dynamics involve parametric uncertainties, nonlinear and coupling dynamics, unmodeled uncertainties, and external atmospheric disturbances, which are considered as equivalent disturbances. A linear time-invariant robust controller is proposed with two parts: an optimal controller to achieve the desired tracking performance and a robust compensator to restrain the influence of the equivalent disturbances. The robustness properties and the optimal tracking control performance can be achieved simultaneously without compromise. Theoretical analysis and simulation results are given to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed control approach.