Variable-structure PD controller for satellite attitude: Stability analysis and design for optimal performance

A novel variable structure controller is investigated for satellite attitude control. This novel controller does not lead to a sliding mode, which avoids the chattering problem, making it suitable for practical implementation. Detailed formulation of the controller is presented along with analytical stability analysis for a second order system. The system having this nonlinear controller is homogeneous, which leads to a similar response at large and small deviations from the equilibrium. A procedure for tuning homogeneous controllers for all initial conditions is proposed. A detailed model of the satellite attitude dynamics, actuator dynamics, and delays in the system is utilized to optimize controller gains numerically. A comparative analysis shows the superiority of the proposed controller over a conventional PID controller in terms of better transients and lower energy consumption.