LQG controller design using GUI: application to antennas and radio-telescopes

The Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) algorithm has been used to control the JPL's beam wave-guide, and 70-m antennas. This algorithm significantly improves tracking precision in a wind disturbed environment. Based on this algorithm and the implementation experience a Matlab based Graphical User Interface (GUI) was developed to design the LQG controllers applicable to antennas and radiotelescopes. The GUI is described in this paper. It consists of two parts the basic LQG design and the fine-tuning of the basic design using a constrained optimization algorithm. The presented GUI was developed to simplify the design process, to make the design process user-friendly, and to enable design of an LQG controller for one with a limited control engineering background. The user is asked to manipulate the GUI sliders and radio buttons to watch the antenna performance. Simple rules are given at the GUI display.