Neural network disturbance observer-based anti-saturation backstepping control for hypersonic vehicles

Abstract This study proposes a radial basis function neural network disturbance observer- (RBFNNDO) based anti-saturation backstepping controller for hypersonic vehicles with input saturations and multiple disturbances. Firstly, in response to the problem of ‘exploding complexity’ in backstepping controller, we adopt finite-time tracking differentiators (FTD), which realise higher tracking accuracy and tracking speed than those of the existing methods. Secondly, we develop multivariable neural network disturbance observers to estimate the lumped disturbances involving aerodynamic uncertainties and external disturbances, thereby improving the robustness of the proposed controller. Thirdly, in order to alleviate the input saturation and minimise the duration time, we use an adaptive fixed-time anti-saturation compensator (AFAC). The simulation results have proven that our proposed backstepping controller outperforms other existing methods in terms of control performance and saturation time.