Linear Quadratic Regulator based Controller Design for Vertical Attitude Adjustment with Thrust Vectoring

This study investigates the control and adjustment of an aerospace airfoil’s vertical attitude in a flow field through Linear Quadratic Regulator controller design and Thrust Vector Control methods. Types of thrust vector control and controllers are investigated and evaluated against each other through the study of the thrust and aerodynamic drag forces acting on the airfoil. The system is modelled through derivations of an airfoil’s equations of motion used to calculate values for the state-space representation of the dynamic system. Thereby, allowing for a state-feedback loop to form through the LQR framework, computing gain values to re-stabilise the rigid body system. Once the controller is demonstrated and illustrates a high level of optimal outputs which are efficient, the controller’s robustness is tested through altering initial system parameters and the state variables physical values. Reliably, the LQR controller provided a consistent energy efficient output.