Some aspects of guidance loop design for SAM systems

The basic structure of guidance loops for SAM systems is considered and two important practical problems associated with their design and implementation if optimum performance is to be achieved are discussed. The nature of the switching transients that occur when loop parameters are changed is examined and the fundamental requirements for transient free operation are presented. A computer aided design procedure for synthesizing a minimum bandwidth system which satisfies a stringent sensitivity specification despite large uncertainty in the plant being controlled is illustrated by means of a significant autopilot design example.