A novel analysis for tactical missile autopilot topologies

The available feedback topologies for tactical missile autopilot were detailed and examined using optimal control. There were transformations that could provide equivalent closed loop properties for the different topologies. The open loop properties of autopilots would be different, however. Compared with the limitations of traditional stability margins, a novel vector margin approach was introduced to establish a standard performance level and determine the best autopilot topology from a robustness perspective. A static unstable plant as example was used throughout. The analysis and simulation results validate the presented approach.