Neural-Network-Based Adaptive Backstepping Control With Application to Spacecraft Attitude Regulation

This paper investigates the neural-network-based adaptive control problem for a class of continuous-time nonlinear systems with actuator faults and external disturbances. The model uncertainties in the system are not required to satisfy the norm-bounded assumption, and the exact information for components faults and external disturbance is totally unknown, which represents more general cases in practical systems. An indirect adaptive backstepping control strategy is proposed to cope with the stabilization problem, where the unknown nonlinearity is approximated by the adaptive neural-network scheme, and the loss of effectiveness of actuators faults and the norm bounds of exogenous disturbances are estimated via designed online adaptive updating laws. The developed adaptive backstepping control law can ensure the asymptotic stability of the fault closed-loop system despite of unknown nonlinear function, actuator faults, and disturbances. Finally, an application example based on spacecraft attitude regulation is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and the potential of the developed new neural adaptive control approach.