Guaranteed robust fault detection and isolation techniques for small satellites

Hellenic Space Systems, S.A. 40 G. Seferi Str., N. Psychiko 15451, Greece

Abstract

The paper presents two generic fault detection and isolation (FDI) techniques which have shown remarkable robustness when applied to the SIMULINK model of a small satellite for thruster failures. While fundamentally different in their design approach, they both generate ʽstructured residualsʼ which accurately capture the failure mode. The diagnosis criterion in both methods relies on residuals direction rather than magnitude, which avoids the delays and expense of setting accurate thresholds for residuals magnitudes. Most importantly, this fact can account for the enhanced robustness to disturbances and sensor noise, as well as to significant parametric variations. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations are presented validating the robust performance of the two algorithms.