Mode decoupling robust eigenstructure assignment applied to the lateral-directional dynamics of the F-16 aircraft

In this paper, a robust controller is designed which is based on the eigenstructure assignment technique. With this technique, the physical modes of the system are decoupled by the appropriate shaping of the eigenvectors. While keeping the desired eigenvector structure as much as possible, Nelder–Mead optimization algorithm is implemented for the search of the optimal robust solution. Different optimization cost functions are investigated in terms of eigenvalue sensitivity and stability robustness. Design solutions are compared with each other and with a fundamental solution in terms of robustness measures. Furthermore, a small amount of flexibility is included in the selection of the eigenvalue locations and the improvement in the robustness is evaluated by singular value analysis. The effectiveness of the control system is demonstrated with nonlinear simulations on the F-16 aircraft mathematical model.