Modeling and Control of Aerospace Vehicles

Objectives

In this curricular unit the students will have a broad perspective of the various types of aerospace vehicles and the main modeling, analysis, and control methods used for these vehicles, understanding their potential but also their limitations. Simultaneously, the students will develop know-how and experience of designing and implementing concrete control strategies for this type of vehicle.

To this end, the intended learning outcomes for this curricular unit are the following:
OA1. Revise classical control systems analysis and design tools;
OA2. Formulate control system models for simple aerial and space vechicle;
OA3. Analyze and design control systems using a state-space techniques;
OA4. Analyze and design control systems using a MIMO frequency domain techniques;
OA5. Develop solutions to concrete control systems problems in aerospace.

General characterization

Code

13141

Credits

6.0

Responsible teacher

Bruno João Nogueira Guerreiro

Hours

Weekly - 4

Total - 62

Teaching language

Inglês

Prerequisites

Students should have a strong foundation in Linear Algebra and Mathematical Analysis, which are typical for most engineering students. Taking introductory courses in signals, systems, and in control systems is recommended, and an additional self-study effort might be necessary, for which specific bibliography will be suggested.

Bibliography

Recommended:
- Theoretical-practical presentations, Bruno Guerreiro, UNL, 2023.
- S. Skogestad and I. Postlethwaite. Multivariable Feedback Control: Analysis and Design, 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2005. https://folk.ntnu.no/skoge/book/
- A. Tewari. Advanced control of aircraft, spacecraft and rockets. John Wiley & Sons, 2011.

Additional:
- Exercise Book, Bruno Guerreiro, 2023.
- Project assignment, Bruno Guerreiro, 2023.
- K. Åström and Richard M. Murray. Feedback systems: An Introduction for Scientists and Engineers, 2nd Ed., Princeton university press, 2021. URL: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691193984/feedback-systems
- J. P. Hespanha, Linear Systems, 2nd Ed., Princeton University Press, 2018.
- J. M. Lemos, Controlo no Espaço de Estados, IST Press, 2019.
- MATLAB Primer: https://www.mathworks.com/help/pdf_doc/matlab/getstart.pdfng.pdf

Teaching method

The course is organized in theoretical-practical classes and practical classes. In the theoretical-practical classes the concepts are introduced and applied in concrete cases from an analytical point of view. In addition, the practical (or laboratory) classes are directed to work on further analytical problems tipical of the TP class topics under study, as well as to the development and implementation of techniques applied to concrete cases, with the goal to obtain experimental results and their analysis.

The course may use a Blended Learning (B-Learning) methodology, where new contents are breafly introduced asynchronously using Moodle, while the synchronous classes are used to consolidate the contents, addressing students'' questions, and solving more complex problems. The use of active learning techniques will also be encouraged.

Evaluation method

The final grade (F) is defined as: F = 0.5*T + 0.1*Q + 0.4*L
- Tests (T): the theoretical-practical component will be primarily evaluated through 2 tests.
- Online quizzes (Q): Moodle short-quizzes and other online assessment tools.
- Laboratories (L): lab assignments to promote a deeper understanding, applied to concrete scenarios.

The assessment components Tests (T) and Online Quizzes (Q) are considered the theoretical-practical component, for which there is the final exam as an alternative. The lab assignments (L) will count as the laboratorial assessment grade.

Both T and L components have a minimum grade of 9.5 points in 20.

Subject matter

M1. Introduction, signals, and systems
  M1.1. Aerospace vehicles, signals, and systems
  M1.2. Time and frequency linear system analysis

M2. SISO system analysis and control
  M2.1. Control design based on root-locus
  M2.2. Stability margins and Nyquist criterion
  M2.3. Loop shaping control design

M3. State-space modeling and control
  M3.1. State-space MIMO models and analysis
  M3.2. Linear quadratic regulator (LQR) design

M4. Modeling of Aerospace Vehicles
  M4.1. Rigid body dynamics and kinematics
  M4.2. Examples of aerial vehicles
  M4.3. Examples of space vehicles

M5. MIMO analysis and control design
  M5.1. MIMO modal and SVD analysis
  M5.2. Hinf control design
  M5.3. Control implementation and examples

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: