H∞ Modified Preview Tracking Control With Observer Design for Autonomous Carrier Landing Systems

ABSTRACT This article addresses the problem of autonomous carrier landing for aircraft by proposing an observer‐based modified preview control (MoPC) scheme using synthesis. An autonomous carrier landing system (ACLS) is developed, consisting of a deck motion predictor (DMP), an accurate previewable glide‐path setup, and a control system. The performance of the preview controller (PC) is improved by introducing a preview‐rate subsystem and augmenting it with a state observer, which ensures enhanced tracking accuracy. The synthesis is parameterized in quadratic form, and the feasibility condition is established and solved using the Lyapunov stability criterion and linear matrix inequality (LMI) techniques under a defined performance index, thereby guaranteeing asymptotic stability. Simulation results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed control system compared to PC, conventional proportional‐integral‐derivative (PID), and linear quadratic regulator (LQR) controllers.