Back to results

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Adaptive Control for Nonlinear, Time Varying Systems

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>It is common for aerospace systems to exhibit nonlinear, time varying dynamics. This thesis investigates the development of adaptive control laws to stabilize and control a class of nonlinear, time varying systems. Direct adaptive control architectures are implemented in order to compensate for time varying dynamics that could, for example, be caused by varying inertia resulting from fuel slosh or settling in a tank. The direct adaptive controller can also respond to external disturbances and unmodeled or nonlinear dynamics. Simulation results are presented for a prototype system that consists of two rotating tanks with time varying inertia due to the motion of fluid inside the tanks. This system is characterized by highly unstable rotational dynamics which are illustrated through simulation. An adaptive regulator is implemented to control the three-dimensional angular velocity to a desired operating point. It is shown that the adaptive controller provides improved performance compared to a baseline linear quadratic regulator designed using a simplified linear dynamics model of the plant. Finally, a direct model reference adaptive controller was implemented to enable the system to track trajectories generated by a reference model. The stability of this control law is investigated via Lyapunov analysis, and simulation results are provided showcasing overall controller performance in the presence of both internal and external disturbances and dynamical effects.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis - Open Access
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Aerospace Engineering
Year
2021

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Zelina, John

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://commons.erau.edu/edt/593
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:commons.erau.edu:edt-1603

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Base URL
commons.erau.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-27
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Zelina, John. Adaptive Control for Nonlinear, Time Varying Systems. Thesis - Open Access thesis, 2021. https://commons.erau.edu/edt/593