THE THEORY AND APPLICATION OF LINEAR OPTIMAL CONTROL

Abstract
Linear optimal control theory has produced an important synthesis technique for the design of linear multivariable systems. In the present study, efficient design procedures, based on the general optimal theory, have been developed. These procedures make use of design techniques which are similar to the conventional methods of control system analysis. Specifically, a scalar expression is developed which relates the closed-loop poles of the multi- controller, multi-output optimal system to the weighting parameters of a quadratic performance index. Methods analogous to the root locus and Bode plot techniques are then developed for the systematic analysis of this expression. Examples using the aircraft longitudinal equations of motion to represent the object to be controlled are presented to illustrate design procedures which can be carried out in either the time or frequency domains. Both the model-in -the- performance-index and model-following concepts are employed in several of the examples to illustrate the model approach to optimal design.