LPV Feedforward Controller Synthesis for Aerospace Applications

Linear parameter varying (LPV) control has received a lot of attention in the last two decades for allowing to apply linear design tools to nonlinear systems. While in the literature mostly feedback control is considered, the present work uses the LPV framework for the design of feedforward controllers. In order to do so, the feedforward controller synthesis is cast into a state feedback problem and solved with semidefinite programming. Similarities to inversion-based control are highlighted. Further, a decoupling scheme is employed, justifying an independent design of the feedforward controller regardless of any feedback controller already present in the loop. A nonlinear missile model of industrial complexity serves as a benchmark for the design methodology. An LPV feedforward controller for the longitudinal dynamics is designed using mixed sensitivity loopshaping techniques. Performance is evaluated in simulation both under nominal conditions and parametric uncertainty. The work concludes with an outlook on the application to the lateral dynamics