Experimental Verification of Residual Mode Filter Stabilization for Control of Flexible Structures

Control-Structure Integration (CSI) methodologies have developed over the past decade to enable the use of high performance control systems with lightweight, flexible structures. The approach described herein provides the means to break the test-and-redesign cycle typical for modern model-based control methods applied to these precision systems and to reduce their operational risks. These benefits are made possible by separating the controller into two independent functions: the reduced order model-based (ROM) controller that delivers the desired positioning performance and the residual mode filter (RMF) that enforces stable operation. The utility of the RMF concept is being verified in the Control-Structure Integration Demonstration Experiment (C-SIDE), an internal research project at the Electro-Optics/Cryogenics Division of Ball Aerospace and Communications Group. A description of the C-SIDE and results of its characterization are given. Experimental results will be shown in the conference presentation.