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At least 595 records · Page 33

Modeling and parameter uncertainties for aircraft flight control system design

As aircraft designs trend toward further applications of control-configured vehicle concepts, aircraft control systems increasingly rely on stability augmentation to obtain normal flying qualities and reasonable structural margins. Although the control system designer would choose to have a perfect dynamic description of the vehicle, he knows that a level of uncertainty of plant dynamics will exist. This paper gives typical values of plant uncertainties for some recent aircraft design and development programs. Histories of pertinent aerodynamic, inertial, and structural parameters from program initiation to aircraft certification are given. These data can be used as typical of future vehicles so that control system design concepts can be evaluated with due consideration to their sensitivity to uncertainties in plant dynamics.

Rickard, W. W.↗

The use of singular value gradients and optimization techniques to design robust controllers for multiloop systems

A method for designing robust feedback controllers for multiloop systems is presented. Robustness is characterized in terms of the minimum singular value of the system return difference matrix at the plant input. Analytical gradients of the singular values with respect to design variables in the controller are derived. A cumulative measure of the singular values and their gradients with respect to the design variables is used with a numerical optimization technique to increase the system's robustness. Both unconstrained and constrained optimization techniques are evaluated. Numerical results are presented for a two output drone flight control system.

Newsom, J. R.↗

The use of singular value gradients and optimization techniques to design robust controllers for multiloop systems

A method for designing robust feedback controllers for multiloop systems is presented. Robustness is characterized in terms of the minimum singular value of the system return difference matrix at the plant input. Analytical gradients of the singular values with respect to design variables in the controller are derived. A cumulative measure of the singular values and their gradients with respect to the design variables is used with a numerical optimization technique to increase the system's robustness. Both unconstrained and constrained optimization techniques are evaluated. Numerical results are presented for a two-input/two-output drone flight control system.

Newsom, J. R.↗

Systems and Methods for Parameter Dependent Riccati Equation Approaches to Adaptive Control

Systems and methods for adaptive control are disclosed. The systems and methods can control uncertain dynamic systems. The control system can comprise a controller that employs a parameter dependent Riccati equation. The controller can produce a response that causes the state of the system to remain bounded. The control system can control both minimum phase and non-minimum phase systems. The control system can augment an existing, non-adaptive control design without modifying the gains employed in that design. The control system can also avoid the use of high gains in both the observer design and the adaptive control law.

Kim, Kilsoo↗

Design of control systems with uncertain parameters

A design method for control systems with uncertain parameters is presented. The method utilizes a generalized sensitivity approach which separates the parameter space into regions which produce a system response that satisfies given design criteria and regions which do not. Nonparametric statistics and confidence limits for the binomial distribution are used to determine degree of parameter sensitivity and to locate regions in the parameter space which maximize the probability of producing a desirable system response. In an example it is shown that a given parameter may have to be known to a lesser degree of uncertainty to be able to specify a satisfactory design.

Auslander, D. M.↗

A simulation-based approach to the design of control systems with uncertain parameters

A design method for control systems with uncertain parameters is presented. The method utilizes a generalized sensitivity approach which separates the parameter space into regions which produce a system response that satisfies given design criteria and regions which do not. Nonparametric statistics and confidence limits for the binomial distribution are used to determine degree of parameter sensitivity and to locate regions in the parameter space which maximize the probability of producing a desirable system response. In an example it is shown that a given parameter may have to be known to a lesser degree of uncertainty to be able to specify a satisfactory design.

Auslander, D. M.↗

Modeling and control system design and analysis tools for flexible structures

Described here are Boeing software tools used for the development of control laws of flexible structures. The Boeing Company has developed a software tool called Modern Control Software Package (MPAC). MPAC provides the environment necessary for linear model development, analysis, and controller design for large models of flexible structures. There are two features of MPAC which are particularly appropriate for use with large models: (1) numerical accuracy and (2) label-driven nature. With the first feature MPAC uses double precision arithmetic for all numerical operations and relies on EISPAC and LINPACK for the numerical foundation. With the second feature, all MPAC model inputs, outputs, and states are referenced by user-defined labels. This feature allows model modification while maintaining the same state, input, and output names. In addition, there is no need for the user to keep track of a model variable's matrix row and colunm locations. There is a wide range of model manipulation, analysis, and design features within the numerically robust and flexible environment provided by MPAC. Models can be built or modified using either state space or transfer function representations. Existing models can be combined via parallel, series, and feedback connections; and loops of a closed-loop model may be broken for analysis.

Anissipour, Amir A.↗

Asymmetrical booster ascent guidance and control system design study. Volume 1: Summary

Dynamics and control, stability, and guidance analyses are summarized for the asymmetrical booster ascent guidance and control system design studies, performed in conjunction with space shuttle planning. The mathematical models developed for use in rigid body and flexible body versions of the NASA JSC space shuttle functional simulator are briefly discussed, along with information on the following: (1) space shuttle stability analysis using equations of motion for both pitch and lateral axes; (2) the computer program used to obtain stability margin; and (3) the guidance equations developed for the space shuttle powered flight phases.

Williams, F. E.↗

Vibration attenuation of the NASA Langley evolutionary structure experiment using H(sub infinity) and structured singular value (micron) robust multivariable control techniques

The use is studied of active control to attenuate structural vibrations of the NASA Langley Phase Zero Evolutionary Structure due to external disturbance excitations. H sub infinity and structured singular value (mu) based control techniques are used to analyze and synthesize control laws for the NASA Langley Controls Structures Interaction (CSI) Evolutionary Model (CEM). The CEM structure experiment provides an excellent test bed to address control design issues for large space structures. Specifically, control design for structures with numerous lightly damped, coupled flexible modes, collocated and noncollocated sensors and actuators and stringent performance specifications. The performance objectives are to attenuate the vibration of the structure due to external disturbances, and minimize the actuator control force. The control design problem formulation for the CEM Structure uses a mathematical model developed with finite element techniques. A reduced order state space model for the control design is formulated from the finite element model. It is noted that there are significant variations between the design model and the experimentally derived transfer function data.

Balas, Gary J.↗

Identification of multivariable high-performance turbofan engine dynamics from closed loop data

A typical engine control design cycle consists of developing a dynamic engine simulation from steady-state component performance data, designing a control based upon this simulation, and then testing and modifying the control in an engine test cell to meet performance requirements. This design cycle was successful for state-of-the-art engines. However, for more advanced multivariable engines that exhibit strong variable interactions, this procedure will result in substantial trial and error modification of the control during the testing phase. One method to automate the design process and reduce control modification testing and development cost would be to identify accurate dynamic models directly from the closed-loop test data. These identified models would then be used in conjunction with a synthesis procedure to systematically refine the control. Recent advances in closed-loop identifiability present a methodology for this direct identification of engine model dynamics from closed-loop test data. The application of an identification method to simulated and actual closed-loop F100 engine data is described. This study was undertaken to determine if useful dynamic engine models could be identified directly from closed-loop engine test data.

Merrill, W. C.↗

A new eddy current model for magnetic bearing control system design

This paper describes a new VLSI-based controller for the implementation of a Linear-Quadratic-Gaussian (LQG) theory-based control system. Use of the controller is demonstrated by design of a controller for a magnetic bearing and its performance is evaluated by computer simulation.

Feeley, Joseph J.↗

RAMP - A fault tolerant distributed microcomputer structure for aircraft navigation and control

Design methodologies for realizing future high authority autoflight control systems are being investigated, taking into account also the study of distributed microcomputer architectures. Attention is given to the redundant asynchronous microprocessor (RAMP) structure. RAMP comprises a connected network of microcomputers which has as input command and sensor information, and which generates servo information to drive actuators, and thrust linkages. Tolerance to hardware failures is achieved by static redundancy. Results of a failed microcomputer are simply rejected. This is done in lieu of dynamic redundancy wherein the distributed computer system performs real time fault detection and reconfiguration of the system. Attention is given to the RAMP network structure and operation, flight control with parallel asynchronous computers, and intermittent fault tolerance.

Dunn, W. R.↗

X-33 Attitude Control System Design for Ascent, Transition, and Entry Flight Regimes

The Vehicle Control Systems Team at Marshall Space Flight Center, Systems Dynamics Laboratory, Guidance and Control Systems Division is designing under a cooperative agreement with Lockheed Martin Skunkworks, the Ascent, Transition, and Entry flight attitude control system for the X-33 experimental vehicle. Ascent flight control begins at liftoff and ends at linear aerospike main engine cutoff (NECO) while Transition and Entry flight control begins at MECO and concludes at the terminal area energy management (TAEM) interface. TAEM occurs at approximately Mach 3.0. This task includes not only the design of the vehicle attitude control systems but also the development of requirements for attitude control system components and subsystems. The X-33 attitude control system design is challenged by a short design cycle, the design environment (Mach 0 to about Mach 15), and the X-33 incremental test philosophy. The X-33 design-to-launch cycle of less than 3 years requires a concurrent design approach while the test philosophy requires design adaptation to vehicle variations that are a function of Mach number and mission profile. The flight attitude control system must deal with the mixing of aerosurfaces, reaction control thrusters, and linear aerospike engine control effectors and handle parasitic effects such as vehicle flexibility and propellant sloshing from the uniquely shaped propellant tanks. The attitude control system design is, as usual, closely linked to many other subsystems and must deal with constraints and requirements from these subsystems.

Hall, Charles E.↗

Integrated flight/propulsion control system design based on a centralized approach

An integrated flight/propulsion control system design is presented for the piloted longitudinal landing task with a modern, statically unstable, fighter aircraft. A centralized compensator based on the Linear Quadratic Gaussian/Loop Transfer Recovery methodology is first obtained to satisfy the feedback loop performance and robustness specificiations. This high-order centralized compensator is then partitioned into airframe and engine sub-controllers based on modal controllability/observability for the compensator modes. The order of the sub-controllers is then reduced using internally-balanced realization techniques and the sub-controllers are simplified by neglecting the insignificant feedbacks. These sub-controllers have the advantage that they can be implemented as separate controllers on the airframe and the engine while still retaining the important performance and stability characteristics of the full-order centralized compensator. Command prefilters are then designed for the closed-loop system with the simplified sub-controllers to obtain the desired system response to airframe and engine command inputs, and the overall system performance evaluation results are presented.

Garg, Sanjay↗

Integrated flight/propulsion control system design based on a centralized approach

An integrated flight/propulsion control system design is presented for the piloted longitudinal landing task with a modern, statically unstable, fighter aircraft. A centralized compensator based on the Linear Quadratic Gaussian/Loop Transfer Recovery methodology is first obtained to satisfy the feedback loop performance and robustness specificiations. This high-order centralized compensator is then partitioned into airframe and engine sub-controllers based on modal controllability/observability for the compensator modes. The order of the sub-controllers is then reduced using internally-balanced realization techniques and the sub-controllers are simplified by neglecting the insignificant feedbacks. These sub-controllers have the advantage that they can be implemented as separate controllers on the airframe and the engine while still retaining the important performance and stability characteristics of the full-order centralized compensator. Command prefilters are then designed for the closed-loop system with the simplified sub-controllers to obtain the desired system response to airframe and engine command inputs, and the overall system performance evaluation results are presented.

Garg, Sanjay↗