Research and develop control system theory and architecture that are resilient to cyber-attack. Develop advanced control systems for novel and difficult systems.

Performing research in controls for the Sensors and Controls Research Group.

• Developed a new traveling salesman problem heuristic that provides improved solutions to the traveling salesman problem over existing heuristics and is easily applied to dynamic versions of the problem.• Developed control algorithms to expand the capabilities of the Air Force’s TSAT laser communications satellites to include bandwidth-on-demand access.

• Developed methods to expand the capabilities of laser communications satellites to include a bandwidth-on-demand platform for certain classes of users.• Derived system models for the TSAT bandwidth-on-demand platform, determined stability criterion, and developed new performance objective functions that provide a large increase in the system’s performance.

• Designed an autonomous control methodology to simulate global coverage using a constellation of low-earth orbit imaging satellites that minimizes the number of satellites needed and remains robust to communications failures.• Proved the optimality of the control methodology.A. M. Melin, R. S. Erwin, and V. Chellaboina, “Optimal Dynamic Assignment for Low Earth Orbit Constellations,” 45th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control, San Diego, CA, December 2006

• Designed an autonomous control methodology to simulate global coverage using a constellation of low-earth orbit imaging satellites that minimizes the number of satellites needed and remains robust to communications failures.• Wrote simulation and analysis software in Matlab for a networked satellite constellation that included orbital dynamics, satellite attitude control, an inter-satellite communications network, and 3D rendering of the system in real time.

• Head of Design for the University of Missouri solar car design team for two years; a 15 person, multi-disciplinary engineering team with a yearly budget of $150,000, which designed, built, and raced a solar car from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA in the American Solar Challenge and placed in the top ten.• Designed a 2.4 lb. carbon fiber semi-monocoque solar car chassis that was 7% of the previous chassis weight, along with a carbon fiber/Kevlar integral body, which reduced the overall weight of the car by 31% from the previous design.• Developed a wireless telemetry system for the University of Missouri solar car with monitoring and performance analysis in LabVIEW and Matlab.• Performed FEA analysis on composite and metal structural elements for the University of Missouri solar car along with aerodynamic analysis.• Modeled and optimized suspension geometry to eliminate tire wear during suspension movement and turning.• Drafted technical design specifications and conducted weekly design review meetings.• Ordered materials; developed and implemented design/production schedules.• Documented compliance with safety regulations.

• Developed an H-infinity model identification and tuning system in Matlab and C+ for the Satellite Ultraquiet Isolation Technologies Experiment (SUITE) to allow the design of a reduced order H-infinity controller that meets the performance criterion while remaining within the operating range of the system processor.V. B. Babuska, S. L. Lacy, R. S. Erwin, and A. M. Melin, “Reliable System Identification for Large Flexible Structures,” IFAC System Identification Conference, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, August 2003