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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Kamat, Sumit S., Seigler, T. Michael, Hoagg, Jesse B.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.18501
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author Kamat, Sumit S.
Seigler, T. Michael
Hoagg, Jesse B.
author_facet Kamat, Sumit S.
Seigler, T. Michael
Hoagg, Jesse B.
contents This article presents a feedback control algorithm for electromagnetic formation flying with constraints on the satellites' states and control inputs. The algorithm combines several key techniques. First, we use alternating magnetic field forces to decouple the electromagnetic forces between each pair of satellites in the formation. Each satellite's electromagnetic actuation system is driven by a sum of amplitude-modulated sinusoids, where amplitudes are controlled in order to prescribe the time-averaged force between each pair of satellites. Next, the desired time-averaged force is computed from a optimal control that satisfies state constraints (i.e., no collisions and an upper limit on intersatellite speeds) and input constraints (i.e., not exceeding satellite's apparent power capability). The optimal time-averaged force is computed using a single relaxed control barrier function that is obtained by composing multiple control barrier functions that are designed to enforce each state and input constraint. Finally, we demonstrate the satellite formation control method in numerical simulations.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_18501
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Electromagnetic Formation Flying Using Alternating Magnetic Field Forces and Control Barrier Functions for State and Input Constraints
Kamat, Sumit S.
Seigler, T. Michael
Hoagg, Jesse B.
Systems and Control
Multiagent Systems
This article presents a feedback control algorithm for electromagnetic formation flying with constraints on the satellites' states and control inputs. The algorithm combines several key techniques. First, we use alternating magnetic field forces to decouple the electromagnetic forces between each pair of satellites in the formation. Each satellite's electromagnetic actuation system is driven by a sum of amplitude-modulated sinusoids, where amplitudes are controlled in order to prescribe the time-averaged force between each pair of satellites. Next, the desired time-averaged force is computed from a optimal control that satisfies state constraints (i.e., no collisions and an upper limit on intersatellite speeds) and input constraints (i.e., not exceeding satellite's apparent power capability). The optimal time-averaged force is computed using a single relaxed control barrier function that is obtained by composing multiple control barrier functions that are designed to enforce each state and input constraint. Finally, we demonstrate the satellite formation control method in numerical simulations.
title Electromagnetic Formation Flying Using Alternating Magnetic Field Forces and Control Barrier Functions for State and Input Constraints
topic Systems and Control
Multiagent Systems
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.18501