Extended Order High Gain Observer Based Stabilization of 2 DOF Pan Tilt Platform for Aerial Imaging System

Abstract

Abstract Aerial imaging systems are mounted on two axis serial robotic manipulators with high powered pan and tilt actuations, known as a Gimbal. The angular displacement of the gimbal is measured through very high precision sensors, typically shaft encoders with high PPR specifications. The purpose of the gimbal is to keep the orientation of the payload towards the target irrespective of the displacement of the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) and any other vibrations/disturbances that might be introduced into the system. Because of 2-DOF (degrees of freedom) dynamical model of the gimbal, frictional force, noise, cable restraint, disturbances from the external environment along with the motions of the vehicle’s body (as a result of manoeuvring or vibration), the spotting and tracking accuracy of the gimbal platform system may significantly degrade. The nature of these redundant disturbances is mostly of nonlinear nature and their modelling is a difficult task as they keep on changing. In order to cancel out these redundant disturbances and uncertainties, extended order high gain observer (EHGO) based feedback linearization control is used and extensive simulations are performed to show the comparison of tracking control without EHGO and after augmenting EHGO.