Finite-time output regulation by bounded linear time-varying controls with applications to the satellite formation flying

This article studies the finite-time output regulation problem for linear time-invariant continuous-time systems. By using the solution to a parametric Lyapunov equation (PLE) and regulator equations, three bounded linear time-varying (LTV) state controllers composed of the LTV feedback gain and the LTV feedforward gain are designed, such that (prescribed) finite-time output regulation is solved. As a further result, a linear LTV observer-based controller is also designed. The most significant advantages of this article are that the system under consideration is more general and the output regulation problem is achieved within a user-chosen regulation time. Finally, the developed LTV state controllers are utilized to the design of the satellite formation flying control system and simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.