Structured adaptive attitude control applied on a Myriade simulation benchmark

Abstract : This paper considers the problem of reaction-wheel attitude control inside the mission mode of the Myriade satellites. A structured adaptive algorithm, allowing to extend the operating domain of a static proportional- derivative controller is presented and conditions for designing a stabilizing, continuous-time adaptive law are given. In view of implementation, a discrete-time adaptive algorithm is derived and tested on a benchmark of the DEMETER satellite, which was part of the Myriade program. Simulation results show that the structured adaptation and the use of the sigma-modification allow the adaptive closed-loop to follow attitude step references of up to 20 degrees without saturating the reaction wheels. This allows the adaptive law to cover the whole mission mode and replace the currently-implemented switched-based control strategy, thus potentially simplifying the verification and validation process.