Integration of Experimental State-Space Modeling Based on ERA and H.INF. Control Design.

State-space solutions of the H∞ controller are well developed. Hence, for real structure control design, the first step is to derive a state-space model of the structure. There are several analytical and experimental dynamic modeling methods that can be used. It is difficult to obtain an accurate model for a flexible and complex structure by the finite-element method (FEM). Therefore experimental modeling is attempted. In this work, we used the eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA) time-domain method based on system impulse response data, to establish a state-space model in order to design the H∞ control law for vibration suppression. The robust control implementation is exerted on a test bed (truck cab model) with three degrees of freedom. The validity of experimental state-space modeling is confirmed and the robust control performance is achieved.