Precision Pointing Flexible Optical Systems: Reaction Actuator Control-Structure Interaction

Abstract This paper examines the Control-Structure Interaction (CSI) phenomena associated with the control of a reaction actuator mounted to a flexible structure. CSI analysis of the reaction actuator control problem is performed on a single-mode model as a function of flexible mode location. The analysis describes the CSI effects on both stability and performance of a high gain PID controller. This paper introduces the idea of bicollocated control of a reaction actuator. It also shows that control of a reaction actuator in the classical 'collocated' sense may lead to nonminimum phase zeros in the plant model and may result in an unstable closed loop system.