The modeling and system identification of the Dynamics Identification and Control Experiment

grantor: University of TorontoThe Dynamics Identification and Control Experiment (DICE) is designed to conduct control and system identification (SI) experiments inside the middeck of the Space Shuttle. The goal of this thesis was to find out whether the current design is sufficient for producing good SI results. First, the sensitivity of the SI algorithm to generic variations in parameters was quantified. Then a prototype DICE simulator, called ProtoSim, was developed. This simulator consisted of models of the actuators and sensors connected to a model of the structural dynamics. It was validated through a set of deterministic tests. A series of SI experiments were then performed using ProtoSim. The simulations showed that the current DICE design produces relatively poor SI results. Possible reasons for this are given, and recommendations are made as to how the experiment might be modified for the real DICE mission.M.A.Sc