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At least 271 records · Page 15

Effect of sampling rate and record length on the determination of stability and control derivatives

Flight data from five aircraft were used to assess the effects of sampling rate and record length reductions on estimates of stability and control derivatives produced by a maximum likelihood estimation method. Derivatives could be extracted from flight data with the maximum likelihood estimation method even if there were considerable reductions in sampling rate and/or record length. Small amplitude pulse maneuvers showed greater degradation of the derivative maneuvers than large amplitude pulse maneuvers when these reductions were made. Reducing the sampling rate was found to be more desirable than reducing the record length as a method of lessening the total computation time required without greatly degrading the quantity of the estimates.

Brenner, M. J.↗

Determination of stability and control parameters of a light airplane from flight data using two estimation methods

Two identification methods, the equation error method and the output error method, are used to estimate stability and control parameter values from flight data for a low-wing, single-engine, general aviation airplane. The estimated parameters from both methods are in very good agreement primarily because of sufficient accuracy of measured data. The estimated static parameters also agree with the results from steady flights. The effect of power different input forms are demonstrated. Examination of all results available gives the best values of estimated parameters and specifies their accuracies.

Klein, V.↗

Determination of stability and control derivatives from the NASA F/A-18 HARV from flight data using the maximum likelihood method

This report is a compilation of PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) results for both longitudinal and lateral directional analysis that was completed during Fall 1994. It had earlier established that the maneuvers available for PID containing independent control surface inputs from OBES were not well suited for extracting the cross-coupling static (i.e., C(sub N beta)) or dynamic (i.e., C(sub Npf)) derivatives. This was due to the fact that these maneuvers were designed with the goal of minimizing any lateral directional motion during longitudinal maneuvers and vice-versa. This allows for greater simplification in the aerodynamic model as far as coupling between longitudinal and lateral directions is concerned. As a result, efforts were made to reanalyze this data and extract static and dynamic derivatives for the F/A-18 HARV (High Angle of Attack Research Vehicle) without the inclusion of the cross-coupling terms such that more accurate estimates of classical model terms could be acquired. Four longitudinal flights containing static PID maneuvers were examined. The classical state equations already available in pEst for alphadot, qdot and thetadot were used. Three lateral directional flights of PID static maneuvers were also examined. The classical state equations already available in pEst for betadot, p dot, rdot and phi dot were used. Enclosed with this document are the full set of longitudinal and lateral directional parameter estimate plots showing coefficient estimates along with Cramer-Rao bounds. In addition, a representative time history match for each type of meneuver tested at each angle of attack is also enclosed.

Napolitano, Marcello R.↗

Ubiquitous Wireless Smart Sensing and Control

Need new technologies to reliably and safely have humans interact within sensored environments (integrated user interfaces, physical and cognitive augmentation, training, and human-systems integration tools). Areas of focus include: radio frequency identification (RFID), motion tracking, wireless communication, wearable computing, adaptive training and decision support systems, and tele-operations. The challenge is developing effective, low cost/mass/volume/power integrated monitoring systems to assess and control system, environmental, and operator health; and accurately determining and controlling the physical, chemical, and biological environments of the areas and associated environmental control systems.

Wagner, Raymond↗

Ubiquitous Wireless Smart Sensing and Control. Pumps and Pipes JSC: Uniquely Houston

Need new technologies to reliably and safely have humans interact within sensored environments (integrated user interfaces, physical and cognitive augmentation, training, and human-systems integration tools).Areas of focus include: radio frequency identification (RFID), motion tracking, wireless communication, wearable computing, adaptive training and decision support systems, and tele-operations. The challenge is developing effective, low cost/mass/volume/power integrated monitoring systems to assess and control system, environmental, and operator health; and accurately determining and controlling the physical, chemical, and biological environments of the areas and associated environmental control systems.

Wagner, Raymond↗

Virtual synchronous generator system and method with virtual inertia control

A virtual synchronous generator device disclosed. The device includes an inverter and inverter controller having a power control portion, a power reserve portion, a power point tracking control portion, and a virtual inertia control portion. The power reserve portion determines an amount of power to be reserved and sends a signal, indicative of the determined amount of power to the power point tracking controller. The power point tracking controller determines a power point that is less than a MPP, and provides a signal to the power control portion indicative of the determined power point. The inertia control portion determines a virtual inertia and provides a signal indicative of the virtual inertia to the power control portion. The power control portion provides a power control signal to the inverter based on the power point tracking signal and the inertia command signal.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Determination of the stability and control derivatives of the F/A-18 HARV from flight data using the maximum likelihood method

The research being conducted pertains to the determination of the stability and control derivatives of the F/A-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV) from flight data using the Maximum Likelihood Method. The document outlines the approach used in the parameter estimation (PID) process and briefly describes the mathematical modeling of the F/A-18 HARV and the maneuvers designed to generate a sufficient data base for the PID research.

Napolitano, Marcello R.↗

STS payloads mission control study, executive summary briefing

The following study objectives were investigated and results are briefly discussed: (1) identify flight control ground functions for representative STS payloads, (2) investigate present/planned NASA-wide facilities for STS payload control, (3) determine feasible, cost effective system concept options for flight control of STS payloads, and (4) development of implementation guidelines for proposed concept option(s).

Source record↗

Interaction of the Space Shuttle on-orbit autopilot with tether dynamics

The effect of Orbiter flight control on tether dynamics is studied by simulation. Open-loop effects of Orbiter jet firing on tether dynamics are shown, and the potential for closed-loop interaction between tether dynamics and Orbiter flight control is determined. The significance of these effects on Orbiter flight control and tether control is assessed.

Bergmann, Edward V.↗

Dynamic attitude command and control of the TOPEX/Poseidon spacecraft

The dynamic control laws utilized by the TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) spacecraft attitude determination and control subsystem to command and maneuver the satellite during normal mission mode (NMM) laws are described. Results show that the vehicle is able to respond to the dynamic attitude commands while at the same time providing ample disturbance rejection capability.

Zimbelman, D. F.↗

On-orbit performance of the Extended Gyrocompass Controller for the TOPEX/Poseidon spacecraft

The paper describes the Earth Acquisition Mode Extended Gyrocompass Controller flown aboard the NASA-CNES TOPEX/Poseidon Attitude Determination and Control Subsystem spacecraft for providing highly accurate measurements of the surface elevations over all the ocean basins. Particular attention is given to the on-orbit performance of the Extended Gyrocompass Controller used during quaternion initialization and Update Filter convergence processing, both of these procedures requiring maintenance of the spacecraft attitude control and knowledge. The development of the Extended Gyrocompass control technique is reviewed, and the results of the on-orbit yaw attitude control and knowledge performance provided by this algorithm are presented.

Sanneman, P. A.↗

Determining the potential productivity of food crops in controlled environments

The quest to determine the maximum potential productivity of food crops is greatly benefitted by crop growth models. Many models have been developed to analyze and predict crop growth in the field, but it is difficult to predict biological responses to stress conditions. Crop growth models for the optimal environments of a Controlled Environment Life Support System (CELSS) can be highly predictive. This paper discusses the application of a crop growth model to CELSS; the model is used to evaluate factors limiting growth. The model separately evaluates the following four physiological processes: absorption of PPF by photosynthetic tissue, carbon fixation (photosynthesis), carbon use (respiration), and carbon partitioning (harvest index). These constituent processes determine potentially achievable productivity. An analysis of each process suggests that low harvest index is the factor most limiting to yield. PPF absorption by plant canopies and respiration efficiency are also of major importance. Research concerning productivity in a CELSS should emphasize: (1) the development of gas exchange techniques to continuously monitor plant growth rates and (2) environmental techniques to reduce plant height in communities.

Bugbee, Bruce↗

Comparison of Wind-Tunnel and Flight Measurements of Stability and Control Characteristics of a Douglas A-26 Airplane

Stability and control characteristics determined from tests in the Langley 19-foot pressure tunnel of a 0.2375-scale model of the Douglas XA-26 airplane are compared with those measured in flight tests of a Douglas A-26 airplane. Agreement regarding static longitudinal stability as indicated by the elevator-fixed neutral points and by the variation of elevator deflection in both straight and turning flight was found to be good except at speeds approaching the stall. At these low speeds the airplane possessed noticeably improved stability, which was attributed to pronounced stalling at the root of the production wing. The pronounced root stalling did not occur on the smooth, well-faired model wing. Elevator tab effectiveness determined from model tests agreed well with flight-test tab effectiveness, but control-force variations with speed and acceleration were not in good agreement. The use of model hinge-moment data obtained at zero sideslip appeared to be satisfactory for the determination of aileron forces in sideslip. Fairly good correlation in aileron effectiveness and control forces was obtained; fabric distortion may have been responsible to some extent for higher flight values of aileron force at high speeds. Estimation of sideslip developed in an abrupt aileron roll was fair, but determination of the rudder deflection required to maintain zero sideslip in a rapid aileron roll was not entirely satisfactory.

Kayten, Gerald G↗

Method and apparatus for characterizing propagation delays of integrated circuit devices

Propagation delay of a signal through a channel is measured by cyclically generating a first step-wave signal for transmission through the channel to a two-input logic element and a second step-wave signal with a controlled delay to the second input terminal of the logic element. The logic element determines which signal is present first at its input terminals and stores a binary signal indicative of that determination for control of the delay of the second signal which is advanced or retarded for the next cycle until both the propagation delayed first step-wave signal and the control delayed step-wave signal are coincident. The propagation delay of the channel is then determined by measuring the time between the first and second step-wave signals out of the controlled step-wave signal generator.

Blaes, Brent R.↗

Space tug thermal control

It was determined that space tug will require the capability to perform its mission within a broad range of thermal environments with currently planned mission durations of up to seven days, so an investigation was conducted to define a thermal design for the forward and intertank compartments and fuel cell heat rejection system that satisfies tug requirements for low inclination geosynchronous deploy and retrieve missions. Passive concepts were demonstrated analytically for both the forward and intertank compartments, and a worst case external heating environment was determined for use during the study. The thermal control system specifications and designs which resulted from the research are shown.

Source record↗

Robust time-domain identification of mass stiffness, and damping matrices

Accurate estimates of the mass, stiffness, and damping characteristics of a structure is necessary for determining the control laws best suited for active control methodologies. There are several modal identification techniques available for determining the frequencies, damping ratios, and mode shapes of a structure. However, modal identification methods in both the frequency and time domains have difficulties for certain circumstances. Frequency domain techniques which utilize the steady-state response from various harmonic inputs often encounter difficulties when the frequencies are closely distributed, the structure exhibits a high degree of damping, or the steady-state condition is hard to establish. Time domain techniques have produced successful results, but lack robustness with respect to measurement noise. In this paper, two identification techniques and an estimation method are combined to form a time-domain technique to accurately identify the mass, stiffness, and damping matrices from noisy measurements.

Roemer, Michael J.↗