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The design of predefined-time anti-saturation attitude control with disturbance observer for hypersonic morphing vehicles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 November 2025

H. Cheng Open the ORCID record for H. Cheng [Opens in a new window] ,
W. Wei ,
Q. Zhang  and
L. Cui
H. Cheng*
Affiliation:
School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering, Beihang University , Beijing, China
W. Wei
Affiliation:
School of Automation Science and Electrical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
Q. Zhang
Affiliation:
School of Automation Science and Electrical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
L. Cui
Affiliation:
School of Automation Science and Electrical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
*
Corresponding author: H. Cheng; Email: haocheng202502@163.com
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Abstract

This paper addresses the attitude control challenge of hypersonic morphing vehicles (HMVs) with uncertainties and actuator saturation. The primary contribution of this work lies in achieving a predefined settling time while ensuring robust control performance under morphing effects, actuator saturation and disturbances. Firstly, a control-oriented model is established based on the dynamics of HMVs. Subsequently, a nonsingular multivariable sliding mode manifold, utilising a switching function, is designed to attain predefined-time convergence and prevent singularity issues. A disturbance observer with an adaptive law is developed to precisely and swiftly estimate uncertainties and error states, while a predefined-time anti-saturation compensator is implemented to alleviate actuator saturation. Furthermore, closed-loop stability is guaranteed through rigorous Lyapunov synthesis. Extensive numerical simulations confirm the algorithm’s superiority in terms of control effectiveness.

Keywords

anti-saturation compensatorhypersonic morphing vehiclesnonsingular predefined-time sliding mode manifoldpredefined-time observer

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Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , First View , pp. 1 - 21
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Royal Aeronautical Society

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