An improved particle swarm optimizer for parametric optimization of flexible satellite controller

Parametric optimization of flexible satellite controller is an essential for almost all modern satellites. Particle swarm algorithm is a global optimization algorithm but it suffers from two major shortcomings, that of, premature convergence and low searching accuracy. To solve these problems, this paper proposes an improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO) which substitute ‘poorly‐fitted‐particles’ with a cross operation. Based on decision possibility, the cross operation can interchange local optima between three particles. Thereafter the swarm is split in two halves, and random number (s) get generated by crossing the dimension of particle from both halves. This produces a new swarm. Now the new swarm and old swarm are mixed, and based on relative fitness a half of the particles are selected for the next generation. As a result of the cross operation, IPSO can easily jump out of local optima, has improved searching accuracy and accelerates the convergence speed. Some test functions with different dimensions are used to analyze the performance of IPSO algorithm. Simulation results show that the IPSO has more advantages than standard PSO and Genetic Algorithm PSO (GAPSO). In that it has a more stable performance and lower level of complexity. Thus the IPSO is applied for parametric optimization of flexible satellite control, for a satellite having solar wings and antennae. Simulation results shows that the IPSO can effectively get the best controller parameters vis‐a‐vis the other optimization methods.