Minimum Sensitivity Controllers with Application to VTOL Aircraft

A technique is described for the design of a fixed-gain feedback controlier for a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, which minimizes the effect of arbitrary variations in the aircraft dynamics on aircraft performance over varying flight conditions. The design method involves the assignment of the eigenvalues of the aircraft model to prescribed locations in the complex plane and the minimization of their sensitivities to model parameter variations. This controller is shown to possess better tracking and regulating capabilities than another fixed-gain controller designed merely for assignment of eigenvalues using nominal parameter values, without any consideration of their sensitivity to plant parameter variations.