Optimal disturbance rejection and performance robustness in linear systems (Q1192136)

The author [see also his monograph: ``Optimal control with a worst-case performance criterion and applications'', Lecture Notes in Control and Information Sciences, 145 (1990; Zbl 0699.49001)] presents a method for selecting control parameters for linear systems described by ODE's such that the effect of disturbance inputs on the variables to be controlled is minimized. For a given set of control parameters a criterion for the evaluation of the least positive value of a parameter, whose reciprocal gives the effect of the worst disturbance on the variables to be controlled is given. The least positive value of that parameter also gives a measure of the performance of the given controller. The author presents a measure of the disturbance rejection capacity of a system or an observer by solving an optimal control problem. Also the problem with variations in the system matrices is considered. The methodology presented in the paper is related to the \(H_ \infty\) methodology in the case of time-invariant systems. Using the theory developed in the paper a controller is designed for the wing leveler system of a small aircraft.