Output transition with pre- and post-actuation for dual-stage flexible structures

This article considers the output transition problem to change the system output, from an initial value to a final value for dual-stage systems. The main contribution of the article is to show that the use of pre- and post-actuation input outside the transition interval (without changing the output) can reduce the transition time beyond the standard bang-bang-type inputs for optimal state transition. An illustrative flexible-structure model is used to clarify the advantages of using (a) pre- and post-actuation and (b) the second actuator in dual-stage systems.