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At least 91 records · Page 5

A case for nonlinear model simplification in the design of flight control systems

An algorithm is presented for obtaining a reduced order or simplified nonlinear model of a nonlinear plant. The method provides a systematic approach for quickly finding the optimal simplified model of the system. Controllers are then designed around this nonlinear model and are used to control the original plant. An example design, for the F-8 aircraft, illustrates that the simplified model does indeed enable the design of a linear controller whose performance is indistinguishable from higher order optimal controllers for the original nonlinear plant. The net result is a simplified design procedure for effectively controlling complex nonlinear systems.

Desrochers, A. A.↗

Fuzzy logic in control systems: Fuzzy logic controller. I, II

Recent advances in the theory and applications of fuzzy-logic controllers (FLCs) are examined in an analytical review. The fundamental principles of fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic are recalled; the basic FLC components (fuzzification and defuzzification interfaces, knowledge base, and decision-making logic) are described; and the advantages of FLCs for incorporating expert knowledge into a control system are indicated. Particular attention is given to fuzzy implication functions, the interpretation of sentence connectives (and, also), compositional operators, and inference mechanisms. Applications discussed include the FLC-guided automobile developed by Sugeno and Nishida (1985), FLC hardware systems, FLCs for subway trains and ship-loading cranes, fuzzy-logic chips, and fuzzy computers.

Lee, Chuen Chien↗

Pterodactyl: Control System Demonstrator Development for Integrated Control Design of a Mechanically Deployed Entry Vehicle

The NASA-funded Pterodactyl project is a design, test, and build capability to (i) advance the current state of the art for Deployable Entry Vehicle (DEV) guidance and control (G&C), and (ii) determine the feasibility of control system integration for various entry vehicle types including those without aeroshells. This capability is currently being used to develop control systems for one such unconventional entry vehicle, the Lifting Nano-ADEPT (LNA) vehicle. ADEPT offers the possibility of integrating control systems directly onto the mechanically deployed structure and building hardware demonstrators will help assess integration and design challenges. Control systems based on aerodynamic control surfaces, mass movement, and reaction control systems (RCS) are currently being investigated for a down-select to the most suitable control architecture for the LNA.To that effect, in this submission, we detail the efforts of the Pterodactyl project to develop a series of hardware demonstrators for the different LNA control systems. Rapid prototypes, for a set of quarter- model or eighth-model vehicle segments, will be developed for all three architectures to validate mechanical design assumptions, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIWL) control approaches. A ground test control system demonstrator will be designed and built after the trade study is complete. The industrial-grade demonstrator will be designed so that it can be incorporated into a HWIL simulation to further validate the findings of the initial trade study. The HWIL simulation will leverage the iPAS environment developed at NASA's Johnson Space Center which facilitates integration testing to support technology maturation and risk reduction, necessary elements for the hardware demonstration development detailed in this paper.

Margolis, Benjamin W.↗

Reaction-control systems.

Reaction control systems for achieving and maintaining attitude, emphasizing reaction jet type

CONTROL SYSTEM↗

Analyzing Feedback Control Systems

Interactive controls analysis (INCA) program developed to provide user-friendly environment for design and analysis of linear control systems, primarily feedback control. Designed for use with both small- and large-order systems. Using interactive-graphics capability, INCA user quickly plots root locus, frequency response, or time response of either continuous-time system or sampled-data system. Configuration and parameters easily changed, allowing user to design compensation networks and perform sensitivity analyses in very convenient manner. Written in Pascal and FORTRAN.

Bauer, Frank H.↗

An expert system for air traffic control system

The objective was to design a control logic which automates all or part of the guidance function for air traffic control systems. Particular interest was focused on automation of the terminal area control system. A preliminary study was done on the development of an expert system. The system may be used to assist controllers by providing them with feasible options in guiding each aircraft in the control area to its desired destination.

Sensui, Takashi↗

Design and Stability of an On-Orbit Attitude Control System Using Reaction Control Thrusters

NASA is providing preliminary design and requirements for the Space Launch System Exploration Upper Stage (EUS). The EUS will provide upper stage capability for vehicle ascent as well as on-orbit control capability. Requirements include performance of on-orbit burn to provide Orion vehicle with escape velocity. On-orbit attitude control is accommodated by a on-off Reaction Control System (RCS). Paper provides overview of approaches for design and stability of an attitude control system using a RCS.

Hall, Robert A.↗

Large space system control technology status and accomplishments

In the area of antenna modeling and control, preliminary structural models were defined for two representative parabolic reflectors. A control system design evolved for attitude control of the reflectors. The controller design was based on a lumped control concept where the control hardware (sensor and actuators) was mounted at the base of the antenna. In the area of distributed control, static shape control techniques were worked out to establish a prescribed vehicle shape. The corresponding estimation process for determination of vehicle shape from selected sensor measurements was also developed. A model order reduction study was conducted to find the best preflight dynamical models for on board controller design. The problems caused by truncation of the vehicle dynamics required to minimize on board computations were investigated. Estimator designs were developed for on board detection of large structure model errors.

Rodriguez, G.↗

Thermal Vacuum Control Systems Options for Test Facilities

This presentation suggests several Thermal Vacuum System (TVAC) control design approach methods for TVAC facilities. Over the past several years many aerospace companies have or are currently upgrading their TVAC testing facilities whether it be by upgrading old equipment or purchasing new. In doing so they are updating vacuum pumping and thermal capabilities of their chambers as well as their control systems. Although control systems are sometimes are considered second to the vacuum or thermal system upgrade process, they should not be taken lightly and must be planned and implemented with the equipment it is to control. Also, emphasis should be placed on how the operators will use the system as well as the requirements of "their" customers. Presented will be various successful methods of TVAC control systems from Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) based to personal computer (PC) based control.

Marchetti, John↗

Analysis and design of a capsule landing system and surface vehicle control system for Mars exploration

The following tasks related to the design, construction, and evaluation of a mobile planetary vehicle for unmanned exploration of Mars are discussed: (1) design and construction of a 0.5 scale dynamic vehicle; (2) mathematical modeling of vehicle dynamics; (3) experimental 0.4 scale vehicle dynamics measurements and interpretation; (4) vehicle electro-mechanical control systems; (5) remote control systems; (6) collapsibility and deployment concepts and hardware; (7) design, construction and evaluation of a wheel with increased lateral stiffness, (8) system design optimization; (9) design of an on-board computer; (10) design and construction of a laser range finder; (11) measurement of reflectivity of terrain surfaces; (12) obstacle perception by edge detection; (13) terrain modeling based on gradients; (14) laser scan systems; (15) path selection system simulation and evaluation; (16) gas chromatograph system concepts; (17) experimental chromatograph separation measurements and chromatograph model improvement and evaluation.

Frederick, D. K.↗

Simulation Environment for Orion Launch Abort System Control Design Studies

The development and use of an interactive environment to perform control system design and analysis of the proposed Crew Exploration Vehicle Launch Abort System is described. The environment, built using a commercial dynamic systems design package, includes use of an open-source configuration control software tool and a collaborative wiki to coordinate between the simulation developers, control law developers and users. A method for switching between multiple candidate control laws and vehicle configurations is described. Aerodynamic models, especially in a development program, change rapidly, so a means for automating the implementation of new aerodynamic models is described.

McMinn, J. Dana↗

Apparatus for damping operator induced oscillations of a controlled system

Flight control-related apparatus for damping operator induced oscillations of a controlled system responding to an operator controlled signal is described. The device utilizes a lag-lead filter for frequency and amplitude estimation of the control input, and a rectification and smoothing filter for producing a signal proportional to the absolute value of the frequency and amplitude estimate for use in suppression of the control system output signal. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by computing a correction signal in a correction generating section. In a second embodiment, a second rectification and smoothing filter produces a signal proportional to the absolute value of the controlled input signal. A ratio of the outputs of the first and second rectification and smoothing filters is then used in a generator to generate a gain factor k sub q for the control system to reduce the gain of the output signal of the control system, thereby to provide a damped control output signal without rate limiting the controlled element.

Edwards, J. W.↗