Model predictive control‐based non‐linear fault tolerant control for air‐breathing hypersonic vehicles

In this study, a model predictive control (MPC)‐based fault tolerant control (FTC) design method for air‐breathing hypersonic vehicles (AHVs) is proposed. The non‐linear model of AHVs is recalled and the FTC problem is discussed. The problem is challenging because the relationship between flight dynamics and the control input is not so clear. For the purpose of non‐linear FTC, an optimisation‐based reference reconfiguration method is given. Through the reconfiguration, a new reference command, which can be realised by the faulty system, is constructed. Actuator saturation has been take into account when constructing the new reference command. An MPC‐based controller reconfiguration method is proposed with respect to the new command and system faults. Finally, simulations are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed control method.