Sequential design of a linear quadratic controller for the deep space network antennas

A linear quadratic controller design procedure is proposed for the NASA/JPL Deep Space Network antennas. The procedure is developed for an antenna model divided into tracking and flexible subsystems. Controllers for the flexible and tracking parts are designed separately by adjusting the performance index weights. The effect of weights on system performance is a crucial property, and is analytically described in this paper. The procedure is illustrated with the control system design for the DSS 13 antenna.