Modeling and control of cyclic systems in xerography

This paper is devoted to the scientific study and engineering application of cyclic systems. Cyclic systems are non-traditional plants, containing devices with rotating dynamics along with actuators and sensors fixed in inertial space. The combination of rotating dynamics and inertially-fixed inputs and outputs leads to one-per-revolution (or stroboscopic) actuation and sensing. Control of cyclic systems amounts to designing a regulator that uses stroboscopic actuation and sensing to force the system into the desired regime. Although cyclic systems are periodic, the general theory of periodic control is not immediately applicable due to stroboscopic actuation and sensing. Because of rotating dynamics, the theory of impulsive control is not applicable as well. This work develops an approach to the control of systems with both rotating dynamics and stroboscopic instrumentation, and reports the initial application to a xerographic process.