Adaptive terminal sliding mode control of hypersonic vehicles based on ESO

Purpose This paper aims to solve the uncertainty problem of hypersonic vehicle tracking control; an adaptive terminal sliding mode control (TSMC) method based on extended state observer (ESO) is proposed. The combination of adaptive techniques, TSMC and ESO offers an effective approach for managing uncertain systems. Design/methodology/approach The dynamic model of a hypersonic vehicle is transformed into two control-oriented subsystems. The control system design incorporates an adaptive technique, an ESO and a TSMC. The ESO estimates the primary uncertainties, while the adaptive technique determines the upper limit of secondary uncertainties. These estimates are used for the design of the TSMC law. In addition, the filter is used to generate the reference trajectory to improve the dynamic performance of the system. The stability of the closed-loop system is proved by the Lyapunov stability theory. Findings A robust control system for hypersonic vehicles is developed with guaranteed stability and strong adaptability to various uncertainties such as parameter variations, external disturbances and actuator faults. Furthermore, the proposed system demonstrates enhanced dynamic performance compared to observer-based sliding mode control. Specifically, for the velocity and altitude tracking control, the settling time of the proposed sliding mode control is approximately 100 s and 70 s shorter than that of the observer-based sliding mode control, respectively. Originality/value Different from the single equivalent treatment, various uncertainties here are classified and treated with different strategies, which improves the disturbance rejection ability of the control system. This ability is of great significance for enhancing the autonomy, adaptability and reliability of hypersonic vehicles in extreme environments.