Genetic design of active controllers for flexible space structures

It is demonstrated that the use of genetic algorithms for the design of active controllers for flexible space structures provides a synthesis technique that is both direct and uncomplicated. The genetic design of such active controllers is illustrated by regarding maximal closed-loop stability as the ultimate design requirement, although it is also indicated that other performance requirements can be used just as easily with genetic algorithms. These general results are illustrated by the genetic design of digital PID controllers for the previously investigated AFWAL structure.