Sampled-data switched control for flexible air-breathing hypersonic vehicles

The nonstandard dynamic characteristics of flexible air-breathing hypersonic vehicles along with the aerodynamic effects of hypersonic flight cause the flight control of such vehicles highly challenging. Additionally, the wide range of speed and the varied parameters make the problem more difficult. In this article, the problem of sampled-data switched output tracking control design is addressed for flexible air-breathing hypersonic vehicles. First, the nonlinear longitudinal model of flexible air-breathing hypersonic vehicles is linearized with respect to different regions, and the switched sampled-data guaranteed cost controller design problem is discussed. Using an input delay approach, the switched system with sampling measurements is transformed into a continuous time-delay system. Then, by a Lyapunov approach, the existence condition of such a controller is developed in the form of linear matrix inequalities. A smooth switching condition is also designed simultaneously, and the sampled-data smooth switching controller design problem is cast into a convex optimization problem. The simulation results are reported to show the effectiveness of the proposed control method.