Active control test on the Mini-Mast

A Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) design process is presented and applied to a large flexible ground test facility, the Mini-Mast, for validation. For the design, nine displacement sensors were used. Three torque wheel actuators were used for damping augmentation. Results were dramatic, indicating an improvement in damping from 3 percent to 30 percent of critical. The tests proved the effectiveness of the procedure in designing effective vibration damping systems.