Periodic, multi-step tracking control for a weather satellite scanning mirror

Weather satellite scan mirror performance often demands high pointing accur acy, rapid reposition times, and low peak power consumption. This work addr esses and compares various techniques for optimizing these specific perform ances when the scan pattern is repetitive. We find that a technique combini ng open and closed-loop control in a timed sequence can often lead to the l owest pointing error in the shortest time interval while minimizing peak po wer. The technique applies equally well to applications such as robotics, a utomated manufacturing or any other electromechanical control system where quick, accurate response is needed while minimizing peak power.