Journal of Systems Engineering and Electronics ›› 2024, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (6): 1583-1593.doi: 10.23919/JSEE.2024.000098

• CONTROL THEORY AND APPLICATION • Previous Articles    

Anti-off-target control method for video satellite based on potential function

Caizhi FAN1,*(), Mengmeng WANG2(), Chao SONG1(), Zikai ZHONG1(), Yueneng YANG1()   

  1. 1 College of Aerospace Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China
    2 Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Xichang 615000, China
  • Received:2023-04-04 Online:2024-12-18 Published:2025-01-14
  • Contact: Caizhi FAN E-mail:caizhifan@nudt.edu.cn;wmmgfkd@163.com;songchao_satellite@163.com;zhongzikai2000@163.com;yangyueneng@163.com
  • About author:
    FAN Caizhi was born in 1980. He received his B.S. degree in thermal energy and power engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University in 2002, M.S. degree in aeronautical and astronautical science and technology from National University of Defense Technology in 2004, and Ph.D. degree in information and communication engineering from National University of Defense Technology in 2010. He is a professor in the College of Aerospace Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology. His research interests are small satellite system and technology, spacecraft intelligent control. E-mail: caizhifan@nudt.edu.cn

    WANG Mengmeng was born in 1998. He received his B.S. degree in radar engineering from the College of Meteorology and Oceanography, National University of Defense Technology in 2020 and M.S. degree in energy and power from the College of Aerospace Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology in 2022. Currently he works as an assistant engineer at Xichang Satellite Launch Center. His research interests include vehicle dynamics and control with emphasis on visual tracking attitude control. E-mail: wmmgfkd@163.com

    SONG Chao was born in 1991. He received his B.S. degree in mechanics and aerospace engineering from Tsinghua University in 2014 and M.S. degree in aeronautics and astronautics science and technology from National University of Defense Technology, where he is pursuing his Ph.D. degree. He also conductes part of his Ph.D. research at University of Wuerzburg in Germany. Currently he works as an engineer in China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center. His research interests include attitude control of video satellite, spacecraft attitude control, adaptive control, and flight control. E-mail: songchao_satellite@163.com

    ZHONG Zikai was born in 2000. He received his B.S. degree from the College of Aerospace Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology in 2022. He is pursuing his Master’s degree with National University of Defense Technology. His research interests is spacecraft control. E-mail: zhongzikai2000@163.com

    YANG Yueneng was born in 1984. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in civil engineering from National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China, in 2006 and 2008, respectively, and Ph.D. degree in aeronautical and astronautical science and technology from National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, in 2013. He is now an associate professor in the College of Aerospace Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology. His research interests include flight dynamics and control, control theory, and control engineering. E-mail: yangyueneng@163.com

Abstract:

Small video satellites have unique advantages of short development cycle, agile attitude maneuver, real-time video imaging. They have broad application prospects in space debris, faulty spacecraft, and other space target detection and tracking. However, when a space target first enters the camera’s visual field, it has a relatively large angular velocity relative to the satellite, which makes it easy to deviate from the visual field and cause off-target problems. This paper proposes a novel visual tracking control method based on potential function preventing missed targets in space. Firstly, a circular area in the image plane is designed as a mandatory restricted projection area of the target and a visual tracking controller based on image error. Then, a potential function is designed to ensure continuous and stable tracking of the target after entering the visual field. Finally, the stability of the control is proved using Barbarat’s lemma. By setting the same conditions and comparing with the simulation results of the proportion-derivative (PD) control method, the results show that when there is a large relative attitude motion angular velocity between the target and the satellite, the tracking method based on potential function can ensure that the target does not deviate from the field-of-view during the tracking control process, and the projection of target is controlled to the desired position. The proposed control method is effective in eliminating tracking error and preventing off-target simultaneously.

Key words: small video satellite, visual tracking, anti-off-target, attitude control, potential function