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Abstract
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 an 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.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2026
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1109/TAES.2026.3664815
Funding Information
This work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Grant 2450718 and in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under Grant 2024-69014-42393.
Repository Citation
Kamat, Sumit Suryakant; Seigler, Thomas Michael; and Hoagg, Jesse B., "Electromagnetic Formation Flying Using Alternating Magnetic Field Forces and Control Barrier Functions for State and Input Constraints" (2026). Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications. 94.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/me_facpub/94
Notes/Citation Information
0018-9251 © 2026 IEEE