Fuzzy goal-driven intelligent control for satellite environmental qualification

This paper reports on the application of Fuzzy Reference Gain-Scheduling Control (FRGS) to control a thermal-vacuum unit that emulates space environmental conditions for satellite and space device qualification. FRGS is a variation of fuzzy control that changes the controller gain surface in accordance to distinct operational conditions established by the reference (goal). This system allows to incorporate the experience of human operators by emulating human decision-making and reasoning, with the advantage of adaptation when parameters are adjusted on-line. The controller gain surface is adapted by modifying the shapes of the membership functions according to piecewise constant reference values. While the goal-driven adjustment is accomplished in a feedforward manner, feedback control technique is used to guarantee dynamical response. The experimental response obtained in the application to the real system has shown the effectiveness and flexibility of this control approach for such a nonlinear system.