An Integrated Payload-Centric Control Approach for Multi-payload Satellites

Multiple payloads are increasingly employed for satellites, but the coupling among payloads degrades their performance obviously. In order to comprehensively manage multiple payloads while ensuring the performance of each payload, this paper proposes an integrated payload-centric control approach. First, the satellite control system is divided into a platform computer and a payload computer. The platform computer is employed for high-reliability fundamental control of the satellite, and the payload computer is employed for high-performance precise control of multiple payloads. Then, an integrated dynamic model is established, and simulation studies are carried out by parallel operation of multi-payload control loops. Finally, an integrated control program is designed and the proposed approach is verified by a ground experiment; experimental results indicate that high-precision and high-stability control of a multi-payload satellite can be achieved.