Control Moment Gyroscope

Introduction
For this lab, there are three experiments, each with separate sub-parts to perform. For
experiment 1, the goal is to determine 3 unknown inertias (the inertia of Body C around
the Y axis is denoted JC, Body A around the Z axis has inertia KA, and Body C around the
X axis has inertia IC). Experiment 2 consists of finding the hardware gains of the system
kg1 and kg2. Finally, Experiment 3 illustrates the unique properties of gyroscopes,
specifically nutation and precession.

Figure 1: ECP Control Moment Gyro Experiment

Hardware
The Control Moment Gyro Experiment consists of the CMG mechanism and its actuators
and sensors. The design features two high torque density (rare earth magnet type) DC
servo motors for control effort transmission, high resolution encoders for gimbal (rotating
ring) angle feedback, and low friction slip rings for signal and motor power transmission
across all gimbals. It also includes inertial switches for high gimbal speed detection and

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safety shutdown and electromechanical brakes to facilitate changing dynamic degrees of
freedom as well as securing the system during safety shutdown.

The plant, shown in Figure 1, consists of a high inertia brass rotor suspended in an
assembly with four angular degrees of freedom. The rotor spin torque is provided by a
rare earth magnet type DC motor (motor#1) whose angular position is measured by a
2000 count per revolution optical encoder (encoder #1). The motor drives the rotor
through a 3.33:1 reduction ratio that amplifies both the torque and encoder resolution by
this factor. In this laboratory, the other degrees of freedom will be locked using the
electromagnetic brake switches on the control box. Thus, the system has a single
motor/encoder for position and speed control, the most frequently observed applications
in practice.

Safety
Read the safety information found in Appendix B on the course webpage

When implementing a controller, use a ruler or other non-sharp object to nudge the
various elements of the system to verify that there is no unstable control condition and
that the system is safe to manipulate. In these experiments, do not move axes 3 and 4
while their brakes are engaged. This leads to premature wear out of the brakes.

Hardware/Software Equipment Check

Before starting the lab, confirm that the hardware is working by performing the following
steps:

Step 1: With power switched off to the Control Box, enter the ECP program by
double clicking on its icon. One should see the Background Screen at this
point. Gently rotate the inner gimbal ring (the one that encloses the brass
rotor). Observe changing readings in the Encoder 2 position and possibly
small changes in the Encoder 1 (rotor) position. The Control Loop Status
should indicate "OPEN" and the Motor 1 Status, Motor 2 Status, and Servo Time
Limit should all indicate "OK".
Step 2: Now press the black "ON" button to turn on the power to the Control Box.
Notice that the green power indicator LED is lit, but the motors should remain
in a disabled state. Turn off the Axis 3 and 4 Brakes via the toggle switches on
the Control Box and safety check the controller as per the instructions in
Appendix B on the course website. Now move Axes 3 and 4. Observe the
corresponding Encoder position values change on the Background Screen.
Encoder 1 position will usually change as one moves axis 3.

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Experiment 1: System Identification; Inertia Measurement
In the following tests, students will measure three moments of inertia using the principle
of conservation of angular momentum. The remaining moments of inertia are provided,
but could be measured experimentally using this and other fundamental principles. 1

Read this section before beginning the procedure below. This will clearly explain
which axis corresponds to which inertia in the procedures. Follow the procedure to
determine the moments of inertia about the specified axes, and thus complete Table 1.2.

Note: This lab will use conservation of angular momentum to determine the moments of
inertia:
J 11o + J 2 2 o = J 11 f + J 2 2 f (A)

where J 1 and J 2 are the inertias of two bodies rotating about a common axis, and the
subscripts o and f denote two time instants, say original and final.

Figure 2: Coordinate System Orientations

1 The inertia values measured here are those that are less amenable to mass property calculation (e.g. via
mechanical geometries, material densities and component weights) and vary the greatest from apparatus to
apparatus.

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Figure 2 above is the orientation setting with which inertias of various bodies are defined.
In the figure, four bodies are labeled, A, B, C, and D. Also, three coordinate directions
are labeled, 1, 2 and 3 for each body; the inertias of each body about its respective axes
1,2, and 3 are further named I, J and K. An incomplete table of I,J and K values is given
on the next page.

In the first part of the lab, students are expected to determine inertia JC, which is the
inertia of body C about coordinate-direction 2 defined in Fig. 2. In this procedure, one
may assume that body D rotates as one piece and Bodies C and B together rotate as one
piece. Both rotate about coordinate-direction 2 or axis J. The inertia of Body D about
direction 2 is given in Table 1-2 as JD. The inertia of Body B about the same axis is also
given in the table as JB. Now, if one substitutes JD as J1 in Eq. (A), then J2 in the same
equation would be equal to JB+JC. Thus, one can determine what JC would be using the
equation along with the measurement data of the angular velocities used in this equation.

In this lab, students should repeat the process above for two similar experiments to
determine KA and IC and enter the results in Table 1-2 below. There are step-by-step
procedures that follow that explain the process in detail. Remember that as you change
the machine configuration, the axes 1, 2, and 3 attached to each body A, B, C, and D
rotate with a body as you change its orientation for each experiment.

Note that the measured sensor counts must be converted to radians in the calculations.
Please see Table 1-1 below for encoder gains and divide the experimental values by kei to
obtain motion data in radians. Also, if the calculations give any negative inertia, there is
a very strong possibility that one has used an incorrect definition in the inertias of
equation (A).

Table 1-1: Encoder Gain Measurements

Axis Number (Encoder Output / Rev. Gain, kei
Number) (counts/rev) (counts/rad)
1 6667 1061*32
2 24400 3883*32
3 16000 2547*32
4 16000 2547*32

Important: Always change sampling time before implementing the control algorithm. To
edit the control algorithm, the current controller must be aborted first.

Experiment 1a: ( JC )
In this part of Experiment 1, the inertia of Body C will be found experimentally.
1. Turn on the hardware and software. Start the ECP program. Select
Abort Control on the Background Screen to disable any controller that
may be still running on the DSP board from a previous user. Turn on
power to the Control Box. Use a ruler or other non-sharp object to
nudge the various elements of the system to verify that there is no

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unstable control condition and that the system is safe to manipulate. In
this and all subsequent experiments, do not move axes 3 and 4 while
their brakes are engaged. This leads to premature wearout of the
brakes. One should see changes in the encoder counts on the
background screen (for the axes that are not locked) as the apparatus is
moved.
2. Prepare for the first test. Setup the mechanism as shown in Figure 1-2a.
The Axis 3 and 4 brakes are turned on and off via toggle switches on
the Control Box. The Axis 2 Virtual Brake is engaged via a button on
the Executive Program background screen. (This brake is affected via a
simple linear control loop that is closed in firmware resident on the
DSP board and uses Motor #2 and Encoder #2 as the sensor and
actuator.) Select Zero Position (Command menu) to zero the
incremental encoder values at these gimbal positions.

Spin
Capstan Motor
Pulley Slipring Slipring Slipring

Encoder Brake Encoder Brake Encoder Brake

Motor #2
Yoke

Base

o o o
Gimbal Angles: q 2o = 0, q3o = 0 Gimbal Angles: q 2o = 90 , q3o = 0 Gimbal Angles: q 2o =-90 q3o = -90
Axis 4 Brake: ON Axis 4 Brake: OFF Axis 4 Brake: OFF
Axis 3 Brake: OFF Axis 3 Brake: ON Axis 3 Brake: ON
Axis 2 Virtual Brake: ON Axis 2 Virtual Brake: ON Axis 2 Virtual Brake: OFF

a) Inertia Test #1 b) Inertia Test #2 c) Inertia Test #3

Figure 1-2. Configurations For Moment of Inertia Tests

3. Implement an input. Write a simple real-time algorithm to activate

Motor #1 (i.e. put control effort values on the DAC) with a Control
Effort equal to the (Commanded Position)/32. 2 Use the global real-time

2 The /32 factor accounts for a firmware gain that multiplies all commanded position and encoder signals
by 32 for increased internal resolution. These control effort counts are converted to a voltage via a digital-
to-analog converter (DAC), then to a current via the servo amplifier, to a torque by the motor, and finally to
a different torque magnitude via the gear reduction. The scaling of all of these transformations affect the
system gain and will be examined in more detail in the section that follows. See also Chapter 4 for a
description of the control hardware and software functionality.

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variables control_effort1 and cmd1_pos for this purpose. (The
Commanded Position values are subsequently entered via Setup
Trajectory to provide the input to the system.) Review the algorithm
with the instructor or laboratory supervisor before proceeding to the
next step.

begin
control_effort1 = cmd1_pos/32
end

4. Enter Setup Control Algorithm via the Setup menu. Select Edit Algorithm.
This opens up the control algorithm editor. Type required codes in the
editor window. Then click File on the menu bar and choose Save
changes and quit. A dialogue window will pop up, asking you to enter
file name to save these codes. Once you name the file, click Save and
the file will be stored on the designated directory. In addition, both the
dialogue window and editor window will disappear and you will return
to the Setup Control Algorithm window. Then click Implement
Algorithm, codes you just entered will be implemented. If you wish to
use other codes stored on computer, you can choose Load from disk
to select the program file you want load. If the above steps do not work,
please refer to Reference in the end of this manual.

In this and all subsequent experiments immediately after implementing

a controller, perform a safety-check of the system using a ruler or other
non-sharp, slender object
5. Set up the input and data acquisition system. Go to Trajectory 1
Configuration under the Setup menu and deselect Unidirectional Moves
(this enables bi-directional trajectories). Enter Impulse 3 and specify a
Amplitude of 16000 counts, a Pulse Width of 1000 ms, a Dwell Time of
0 ms, and 2 repetitions (this prepares the controller board to input a
16000 count positive-going step followed immediately by a 16000
count negative-going one.) Select OK, successively and enter Setup
Data Acquisition (Setup menu). Specify Encoder 1 Position, Encoder
2 Position, Encoder 3 Position, Encoder 4 Position, Control Effort 1
and Control Effort 2 as data to be acquired with a Sample Period of 2
servo cycles.

3 Here the Impulse general form is used to generate a step-like shape. The impulse dialog box is may be
used for step-like forms when the pulse-width is specified to be relatively long.

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6. Run the test. Go to Execute (Command menu) and verify that the
apparatus is in the configuration of Figure 6.1-2a. Select Normal Data
Sampling and Execute Trajectory 1 Only and then Run. One should see
the rotor spin up then slow down while the inner assembly (bodies B,
C, and D) rotates about Axis 3. Is the motion of the rotor and that of the
inner assembly in the same direction or opposite directions? Select OK
once the data from the maneuver has been uploaded.
7. Plot the data in MATLAB. Be sure to plot Encoder 1 Velocity and
Encoder 3 Velocity on the same plot. (Note, the ECP software only
exports position data) and clearly label each with different lines and a
legend.
Note the following issues:
Does the system eventually come to a stop? Why or why not? What does
this illustrate about the theoretical conservation of angular momentum in the
system over long time periods? Based on these observations, should one use
a relatively short data window (seconds) for the above analysis, or a long
data window (tens or hundreds of seconds)?

The final report is expected to include:

A diagram identifying the control elements and signals in the Gyro Experiment.
Hint, Use Figure 1 or 2 above.
Sensor: Actuator:
Controller: Reference Input:
Actuator Output: System Output:

One (1) MATLAB Plot along with titles, labels and legends if necessary that clearly
show which plot corresponds to which situation
- Plot of Encoder 1 Velocity and Encoder 3 Velocity

One (1) MATLAB script file that converts the position data into velocity data. This will
be needed for subsequent experiments. Please place this in an Appendix of your lab
report.

For all the questions highlighted, the questions should be copied and pasted into the
students lab report and explicitly answered immediately thereafter.

Experiment 1b: (KA)

In this part of experiment 1, the value for Ka will be determined experimentally
8. Prepare the hardware for the next test. Setup the mechanism as shown
in Figure 1-2b. In order to improve the quality of the final result, the
following procedure is recommended in setting the initial orientation of
the yoke v. the base (i.e. q4). Rotate the yoke relative to the base using

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a very light touch to find a location where there is least friction (some
residual friction from the brake may exist in some locations). Although
typically small, any friction may be detected by giving the yoke a very
small initial velocity and observing how rapidly it stops. The yoke
should be positioned to minimize the travel in any zone of friction for
motion in a counterclockwise direction. (E.g. positioned just beyond a
zone of friction when moving in a counterclockwise direction).
9. Reconfigure the input given to the system. Go to Trajectory 1
Configuration under the Setup menu, select Impulse and change the
Pulse Width to 2000 ms. Leave all other parameters the same as in Step
5 above.
10. Repeat Step 6 to execute the input to the system. One should see the
rotor spin and the remaining assembly rotate about the base (Encoder
#4). Note the nature of the motion.
11. Plot in MATLAB Encoder #1 and Encoder #4 velocity data on the
same plot. Again, be sure to clearly indicate which data corresponds to
which line.

The final report is expected to include:

One (1) MATLAB Plot along with titles, labels and legends if necessary that clearly
show which plot corresponds to which situation
- Plot of Encoder 1 Velocity and Encoder 4 Velocity

Experiment 1c: (IC)

In the final part of experiment 1, the final parameter will be determined.
12. Prepare the hardware for this test. Setup the mechanism as shown in
Figure 1-2c. Set the yoke position as described in Step 8.
13. Edit the previous algorithm to output cmd1_pos to control_effort2.
(i.e. put Trajectory 1 inputs on DAC2 to drive Motor 2). Select Save
Changes and Quit to exit the editor. .
14. Stay clear of the apparatus and select Implement Algorithm to begin
immediate execution of the algorithm. Safety check the system. If all is
well, there should be no motion of the system.
15. Change the input to the system. Go to Trajectory 1 Configuration, select
Impulse and change the Pulse Width to 200 ms. Leave all other
parameters the same as in Step 5 above.
16. Repeat Step 6 and run the test. One should see the inner gimbal ring
rotate relative to the outer ring and the remaining assembly rotate about
the base (Encoder #4). The inner ring will likely contact the limit
switch at the end of the maneuver causing the Control Box to power

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down. This is normal. If it occurs before completing a satisfactory test,
simply re-power the Control Box. It is also possible that the limit
switches are contacted during the initial (first 400 ms) portion of the
maneuver. If this occurs, reduce the Pulse Width duration in Step #15
(to say 150 ms) and repeat the remainder of the procedure.
17. Plot in MATLAB Encoder #2 and Encoder #4 velocity data.

Note, this table is for the student to complete, and is used for later parts of the lab.

Table 1-2. Moment of Inertia Data

Body Inertia Element Value (kg-m2)
A KA
B IB 0.0119
JB 0.0178
KB 0.0297
C IC
JC
KC 0.0188
D ID 0.0148
JD 0.0273

The final report is expected to include:

One (1) MATLAB Plot along with titles, labels and legends if necessary that clearly
show which plot corresponds to which situation
- Plot of Encoder 2 Velocity and Encoder 4 Velocity

One (1) Excel table

- Table 1.2, completed

Calculations showing answers for Table 1-2. Hint, you will need to use the values already
found in Table 1.1 and 1.2. Be sure to solve this symbolically before plugging in
numbers. Symbolic calculations are required in the laboratory report.

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Note: this would be best done in MATLAB to prevent algebraic errors.

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Experiment 2 Control Effort Gain Measurement
In the following tests, the control effort gain for the two plant inputs is measured using
Newtons second law (in its rotational form) and the gyroscopic cross product. These
relationships have the well-known forms

(Equation 2-1)

(Equation 2-2)

where in the first expression, T is the applied torque, J is the moment of inertia about an
axis parallel to T, is the angular acceleration of J about that axis. In the second
expression, H is the momentum of the body, is the angular velocity associated with
change of direction of the vector H, and T is the applied torque necessary to change the
direction of H.

Important:
To edit the control algorithm, the current controller must be aborted first.

Experiment 2a: Control Effort Gain (kg1)

In this test, the acceleration of the rotor disk is measured in response to a known
control effort signal in the positive and negative directions. Students must
measure the resulting accelerations. From the accelerations and rotor inertia value,
the applied torque and hence control effort gain may be calculated.
1. Set the hardware for the test Setup the mechanism in the configuration
of Figure 1-3a, shown below.
2. Edit the algorithm from Step 13 above to output cmd1_pos to
control_effort1. (i.e. the same as in Inertia tests 1 and 2). Select
Save Changes and Quit to exit the editor. Select Implement Algorithm
and safety check the system.

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Figure 1-3. Configurations for Control Effort Gain Tests

3. Set up the input. Go to Trajectory 1 Configuration and verify that

Unidirectional Moves is not selected. Enter Impulse and specify an
Amplitude of 16000 counts, a Pulse Width of 4000 ms, a Dwell Time of
0 ms, and 2 repetitions.
4. Run the test. Execute this input with Normal Data Sampling and
Execute Trajectory 1 Only selected. One should see the rotor spin up
then slow down and possibly reverse motion.
5. In MATLAB, Plot Encoder #1 velocity and control Effort 1 data on the
same plot. Use this plot to determine the control gain relating the
command voltage to the Torque necessary to cause the observed motion
of the system, being sure to explain the methodology and calculations
used to obtain this parameter, including units throughout.

Experiment 2b: Control Effort Gain Test #2 (kg2)

In this test, we measure the torque required to allow the momentum vector, H, of
the spinning wheel for precession at some rate according to Equation (2-2).
6. Setup the mechanism in the configuration of Figure 1-3b.

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7. Turn on the disk. Stay clear of the mechanism and Initialize Rotor
Speed (Command Menu) to 400 RPM. Safety check the system once
the rotor has reached approximately 400 RPM as seen on the
Background Screen.
8. Read this step carefully before any action. Apply light finger pressure
to the upper edge of the inner ring as shown in Figure 1-3b. What
happens to the motion of the assembly about Axis #4 (the vertical axis
at the base of the unit)? This is the fascinating phenomenon of
gyroscopic precession. Now apply light pressure in the opposite
direction. What happens to the motion of the assembly? For a given
amount of finger pressure, does the motion about Axis #4 remain at
constant velocity or does it accelerate?
9. Now apply light finger pressure to the side of Encoder#3 to rotate the
assembly about Axis #4. What happens to the inner assembly with
respect to Axis #2? Do not exceed q2= 60 deg. (If a limit switch is
contacted due to excessive motion in q2, repeat steps 6-8.) Return the
inner ring to the approximate vertical position (q2=0).
10. This time, have a fellow student apply light finger pressure to the
encoder to cause a small rotation rate about Axis #4 while another
student applies a sufficient force on the inner ring (at the location used
in Step 8) to keep it approximately vertical (q2=0). How does the force
(and hence torque about Axis #2) required to keep the ring vertical vary
with the angular rate about Axis #4?
Please trade places with the fellow students so that each experiences the
nature of the applied force. Return the inner ring to the approximate
vertical position (q2=0).
11. Change the data acquisition and control algorithm. In the Setup Control
Algorithm dialog box, change sampling period to Ts=0.00884 s. Verify
that the mechanism is in the configuration of Figure 1-3b. Locate and
Implement the algorithm axis2lock.alg as furnished with the
system (the code is in the appendix of this lab. You should confirm as
students in the past have accidentally edited this!). This simple routine
regulates the position of Axis 2 to keep it at the approximate current
position. We shall measure the control effort required to do so in the
test that follows. Safety check the controller.
12. Rotate the assembly slowly about the vertical axis and note the Control
Effort 2 values displayed. Do not rotate the assembly at a sufficiently
high rate to cause Control Effort 2 to exceed 5V. What has changed
with regard to resistive torque required to rotate the assembly about the
vertical axis (Axis #4) as experienced in Step 9?
13. Change the Impulse amplitude to zero (0) counts and leave all else as
specified in Step 3. (This will allow the system to collect data during
the Execute period while maintaining a zero valued reference input)

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14. Read this step completely before taking action. Practice the
following procedure: Slowly rotate the assembly about the vertical axis
at a rate to cause approximately 4-5 V of control effort; release to let
the assembly spin freely; wait for a second or two; reverse direction to a
achieve 4 to 5 V control effort, then release again. The goal is to
measure the control effort required at motor #2 during the free spinning
periods of this maneuver. Once this is consistently achieved, prepare to
Execute the Impulse maneuver from Step 13. Select Run, then perform
this procedure.
15. Plot in MATLAB the Encoder 4 Velocity and Control Effort 2 data.
Verify that Control Effort 2 had at least some values in the range of 4 to
5 V and 4 to 5 V in the portions of the curve when the assembly was
spinning freely (the velocity data should be relatively flat during this
period). If not, repeat Step 14. Save the final plot.

The final report is expected to include:

Two (2) MATLAB Plot along with titles, labels and legends if necessary that clearly
show which plot corresponds to which situation. Use the Plotyy command in matlab so
that both control efforts and velocities are clearly visible.
- Plot of Encoder #1 velocity and Control Effort 1
- Plot of Encoder #4 velocity and Control Effort 2

For all the questions highlighted, the questions should be copied and pasted into the
students lab report and explicitly answered immediately thereafter.

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Experiment 3 Gyroscopic Dynamics: Nutation and
Precession
This sequence of experiments illustrates the three-dimensional dynamics and control of a
gyroscope (these are given by Equation 2-2). Study this equation and the description
thereafter.

(Equation 2-2)

Explanation of Equation 2-2:

H is the momentum of the body, is the angular velocity associated with the change of
direction of the vector H and T is the applied torque necessary to change the direction of
H.

Important: Abort the control used in previous step before continuing on.

Experiment 3a: Nutation: Frequency & Mode Shapes

Follow the procedure to study the nutation motion of the system. Create all the requested
plots and include them with this report. Note: When plotting position and velocity on the
same figure, place position variables on the left axis and velocity variables on the right
axis to avoid scaling issues (hint: help plotyy).

Capstan
Pulley

Gimbal Angles: q2o = 0, q3o = 0

Encoder Brake Axis 4 Brake: OFF
Axis 3 Brake: ON
Axis 2 Virtual Brake: OFF

Figure 3-1. Configuration For All Tests In This Section

Procedure
1. Setup the mechanism as shown in Figure 3-1.
2. Write a simple real-time algorithm to activate Motor #2 (i.e. put control
effort values on the DAC) with a Control Effort equal to the

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(Commanded Position)/32. 4 Use the global real-time variables
control_effort2 and cmd1_pos for this purpose.

begin
control_effort2 = cmd1_pos/32
end

3. Set the input to the system. Go to Trajectory 1 Configuration. Enter

Impulse and specify an Amplitude of 16000 counts, a Pulse Width of 50
ms, a Dwell Time of 4000 ms, and 1 repetition (this prepares the
controller board to input a 16000 count positive-going impulse followed
immediately by 4 seconds of zero input during which data is collected.
4. Setup Data Acquisition (Setup menu). Specify Commanded Position 1,
Sensor 2 Position, Sensor 4 Position, and Control Effort 2 as data to be
acquired with a Sample Period of 4 servo cycles.
5. Implement the algorithm from Step 2 above with sampling period set to
Ts = 0.00442 seconds.
6. Initialize Rotor Speed to 200 RPM and zero the encoder positions (Utility
menu). Execute the maneuver selecting Normal Data Sampling and
Execute Trajectory 1 Only.
7. Plot the Encoder 2 and Encoder 4 Position data and subsequently the
velocity data (which can be obtained from the MATLAB function
written in earlier portions of the lab). Note the frequency of the
oscillations and the relative amplitude and phase of the Encoder 4
response verses the Encoder 2 response. Save the resulting plots.
8. Turn off the rotor. Disable the rotor speed loop (Command menu). To
more rapidly decelerate the rotor, turn off the Control Box. Wait for the
rotor to stop (if the Control Box is off, turn it back on at this point).
Repeat Steps 6 and 7 for a rotor speed of 400 RPM.
9. Repeat Step 8 for a rotor speed of 800 RPM.

The final report is expected to include:

Three (3) MATLAB Plot along with titles, labels and legends if necessary that clearly
show which plot corresponds to which situation. Feel free to use the subplot command
in MATLAB for this plotting
- A plot of Encoder #2 and Encoder #4 position at 200 RPM

4The /32 factor accounts for a firmware gain that multiplies all commanded position and encoder signals
by 32 for increased internal resolution.

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- A plot of Encoder #2 and Encoder #4 position at 400 RPM
- A plot of Encoder #2 and Encoder #4 position at 800 RPM

For all the questions highlighted, the questions should be copied and pasted into the
students lab report and explicitly answered immediately thereafter.

Specifically: comment on the frequency of oscillations and phase between Encoder 2 and
Encoder 4 motions. What are the trends and relationships between the three different
speed trials?

Experiment 3b: Precession

Follow the procedure below to study the precession motion of the gyroscope. Create all
the requested plots and include them in this report.

Procedure
10. Repeat Steps 1 through 6 of Experiment 3a except in Step 3 setup the
Impulse trajectory for an Amplitude of 6000 counts, a Pulse Width of
8000 ms, a Dwell Time of 0 ms, and 1 repetition (this prepares the
controller board to input a 6000 count constant input for 8 seconds).
The first maneuver should be at 200 RPM and should result in an initial
transient series of attenuating nutation oscillations followed by a steady
state response. Plot the position data for Encoders 2 and 4 and also
their velocity data. Save the plots.
11. Repeat Step 10 for the 400 and 800 RPM cases. Note the change in
steady state velocity for Encoder 4 with rotor speed.

The final report is expected to include:

Three (3) MATLAB Plot along with titles, labels and legends if necessary that clearly
show which plot corresponds to which situation
- A plot of Encoder #2 and Encoder #4 position and velocity at 200 RPM
- A plot of Encoder #2 and Encoder #4 position and velocity at 400 RPM
- A plot of Encoder #2 and Encoder #4 position and velocity at 800 RPM

Plot both positions and velocities in the same plot. Put position data on the left axis and
velocity data on the right axis. Comment on the change in steady state velocity for
Encoder #4 with rotor speed.

For all the questions highlighted, the questions should be copied and pasted into the
students lab report and explicitly answered immediately thereafter.

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Experiment 3c: Nutation Damping
First, abort the control that was used in previous experiment. Follow the procedure and
implement the following control algorithm (a sample program is saved in the PC at
Program Files\ECP Systems\MV\6.2.3.alg):

;**************DEFINE USER VARIABLES*********************

#define Ts q1
#define kv q2
#define kdd q3
#define enc2_last q4
;****************INITIALIZE VARIABLES*********************
Ts = 0.00884
kv = 0.005
kdd = kv/Ts
;********************REAL TIME CODE**********************
begin
;CONTROL LAW: output torque = demand gimbal2 rate feedback
control_effort2 = cmd1_pos/32 kdd*(enc2_pos enc2_last)
;UPDATE VARIABLES
enc2_last = enc2_pos
end

Important:
To edit the control algorithm, one must abort the current control first.
Experiment with three values of kv given below and with the angular speeds.

Procedure
12. The algoritm above adds rate feedback damping at Axis 2. I.e. it adds a
term u2damp of the form

u2damp = -kv q2 s
where kv is the rate feedback gain, q2 is the position measurement, and
s is the derivative operator. Thus, the control effort is just the velocity
times the rate feedback gain, kv.
Implement the algorithm shown above in ECP.
13. Set the rotor speed to 200 RPM. Beginning with a value of kv = 0.005
Implement the algorithm with Ts =0.00884 seconds.
14. Repeat Step 10 except set the rotor speed at 400 RPM rotor speed. Is
there a reduction observed in the nutation mode amplitude?

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15. Repeat Steps 13 and 14 for various increasing values of kv. Do not
exceed kv=0.10, higher values could lead to excessive numerical noise
and damage to the system! How are the nutation oscillations affected
by increased rate feedback gain? Save the plot for a case where the
nutation is well damped.

The final report is expected to include:

Six (6) MATLAB Plot along with titles, labels and legends if necessary that clearly show
which plot corresponds to which situation
- Plot of Velocities 2&4 with kv = 0.005 and Rotor Speed of 200 RPM
- Plot of Velocities 2&4 with kv = 0.005 and Rotor Speed of 400 RPM
- Plot of Velocities 2&4 with kv = 0.020 and Rotor Speed of 200 RPM
- Plot of Velocities 2&4 with kv = 0.020 and Rotor Speed of 400 RPM
- Plot of Velocities 2&4 with kv = 0.080 and Rotor Speed of 200 RPM
- Plot of Velocities 2&4 with kv = 0.080 and Rotor Speed of 400 RPM
-

Plot both positions and velocities in the same plot. Put position data on the left axis and
velocity data on the right axis. Comment on the change in steady state velocity for
Encoder #4 with rotor speed.

For all the questions highlighted, the questions should be copied and pasted into the
students lab report and explicitly answered immediately thereafter.

How are the nutation oscillations affected by increased rate feedback gain?
How does an increase in Rotor Speed affect the amplitude of the oscillations?

Note: because of the number of plots requested in the lab, students will be severely
docked points if the plots are not clearly labeled within the report as to which section they
pertain to.

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Appendix 1: Axis2lock.alg
;SET Ts=0.00884 sec
;********** Define User Variables ***************
#define kp q2
#define kd q3
#define enc2_last q4
;************ Initialize Variables ****************
kp=2
kd=8
;********* Real time code which is run every servo period ***
begin
control_effort2=-kp*enc2_pos-kd*(enc2_pos-enc2_last)
enc2_last=enc2_pos
end

Reference: Procedure to implement control algorithm if algorithm

editor does not work.
a) Enter Setup Control Algorithm via the Setup menu. Select Edit Algorithm.
This opens up the control algorithm editor.
b) Click File on the menu bar and select New under File.
c) If a dialog box opens up, click Sure; otherwise, go to the next step.
d) Go to menu bar and click File again. This time, click Save As and save this
file in your personal folder that you have.
e) Go to your personal folder and find your control algorithm file. The file should
has the suffix -- .alg. Double click it to open this file.
f) If a dialog box saying Windows cant open this file opens up, then choose
Select a program from a list of installed programs and click OK. Then
choose Notepad to open this file.
g) Input your control algorithm and save it.
h) Go back to ECP software. In the Control Algorithm Window, click Load from
disk and choose the file you just edited and click OK.
i) You will see the Control Algorithm window showing that your file has been
successfully loaded. Then your algorithm is ready to use. If you click
Implement, then this algorithm will be executed on your apparatus.
j) If you want to edit your control algorithm, click Cancel to exit from Control
Algorithm window. You have to make sure that behind User Code:, ECP
shows (no file selected) because ECP sometimes does not overwrite the
previously loaded programs when a new program is loaded. In that case, exit
ECP and launch it again. Find the .alg file and edit it. Save it and load it in ECP.
Then ECP has a new control algorithm to use.

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