A unified approach to rigid body rotational dynamics and control

Abstract

This paper develops a unified methodology for obtaining both the general equations of motion describing the rotational dynamics of a rigid body using quaternions as well as its control. This is achieved in a simple systematic manner using the so-called fundamental equation of constrained motion that permits both the dynamics and the control to be placed within a common framework. It is shown that a first application of this equation yields, in closed form, the equations of rotational dynamics, whereas a second application of the self-same equation yields two new methods for explicitly determining, in closed form, the nonlinear control torque needed to change the orientation of a rigid body. The stability of the controllers developed is analysed, and numerical examples showing the ease and efficacy of the unified methodology are provided. © 2011 The Royal Society.