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University of New Mexico

Modeling of a gimbal azimuth drive and simulation of control techniques

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

A common problem in developing new gimbal products is predicting performance. At the beginning of the design stage, typically the proposal writing stage, it is critical to be able to anticipate the performance of a design, which may still be very roughly defined. Static performance metrics such as pointing accuracy are easier to predict and can be related to position sensor resolution and compliance in the structure and drive. Dynamic performance metrics such as rate tracking and bandwidth are much more difficult to estimate. These dynamic parameters will serve as the results of this paper. A gimbal model is usually developed in this early stage of design. A model is built for each axis as cross-coupling is not usually significant. The development of each model is inherently dependent on the integrity of the parameters used. Some parameters may be easily accessible and clearly defined, such as manufacturer specifications for commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components. An example of these would be motors. A motor datasheet will usually include specifications such as winding resistance, torque constant, etc. Some parameters have to estimated such as drive friction, structural rigidity and drive parameters. There is also much less certainty in these estimates due to their dependence on the integrated, final system. Building an accurate and sufficient model of the system is a challenging task. This thesis developments and validates a single axis gimbal model. Following this is a recursion on the model parameters based upon empirical data. Finally, application of different control laws are evaluated in simulation on the model. First, a classical output feedback law is implemented. Secondly, a state observer is implemented with state feedback. State feedback coefficients are found using both pole placement (PP) algorithms and linear quadratic regulation (LQR) optimal control formulas.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Electrical Engineering
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Year
2011

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Broilo, Frank Matt
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Abdallah, Chaouki
  • Jayaweera, Sudharman
  • Fierro, Rafael

Subjects

dc:subject × 3

Rights

Language dc:language
English

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/ece_etds/40
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:digitalrepository.unm.edu:ece_etds-1039

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of New Mexico
Base URL
digitalrepository.unm.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Broilo, Frank Matt. Modeling of a gimbal azimuth drive and simulation of control techniques. Thesis thesis, 2011. https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/ece_etds/40