High-order sliding mode controller with backstepping design for aeroelastic systems

A nonlinear system for controlling flutter in an aeroelastic system is proposed. The dynamic model describes the plunge and pitch motion of a wing. Interacting nonlinear forces such as structural and aerodynamic forces cause destabilizing phenomena such as flutter and limit cycle oscillation on the wing. Aeroelastic models have a wing section with only a single trailing-edge control surface for suppressing limit cycle oscillation. When modeling a single control surface, the controller design can achieve trajectory control of either plunge displacement or pitch angle, but not both, and internal dynamics describe the residual motion in closed-loop systems. Internal dynamics of aeroelasticity depend on model parameters such as freestream velocity and spring constant. Since single control surfaces have limited effectiveness, this study used leading- and trailing-edge control surfaces to improve control of limit-cycle oscillation. Moreover, two control surfaces were used to provide sufficient flexibility to shape both the plunge and the pitch responses. In this study, high order sliding mode control (HOSMC) with backstepping design achieved system stability and eliminated limit cycle phenomenon. Compared to the conventional sliding mode control design, the proposed control law not only preserves system robustness, but also avoids chatter phenomenon. Simulation results show that the proposed controller effectively regulate the response to origin in state space even under saturated controller input.

► A nonlinear system for controlling flutter in an aeroelastic system is proposed.
► This study used leading- and trailing-edge control surfaces to improve control of limit-cycle oscillation.
► High order sliding mode control with backstepping design achieved system stability and eliminated limit cycle phenomenon.
► The proposed control law not only preserves system robustness, but also avoids chatter phenomenon.