Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “control algorithm”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,189 records · Page 66

New multirate sampled-data control law structure and synthesis algorithm

A new multirate sampled-data control law structure is defined and a new parameter-optimization-based synthesis algorithm for that structure is introduced. The synthesis algorithm can be applied to multirate, multiple-input/multiple-output, sampled-data control laws having a prescribed dynamic order and structure, and a priori specified sampling/update rates for all sensors, processor states, and control inputs. The synthesis algorithm is applied to design two-input, two-output tip position controllers of various dynamic orders for a sixth-order, two-link robot arm model.

Berg, Martin C.↗

Algorithms for software development version control and change detection

Simple computer algorithms for processing source program and text data files in order to extract change detection, version control, version history, and current status information are described. These algorithms presuppose that it is possible to attach to each record of the source files a 6-character code, placed within delimiters that will cause the compiler, or other using program, to ignore this code field. The code contains a 2-character code for a character-by-character position-sensitive checksum of the record, another for the record number in the file, and a third for the data on which the encoding took place. Once the source file has been thus encoded, it is possible to detect the following transactions on the file since the most recent version coding; (1) addition of new records (having no version code), (2) modification of existing records, (3) deletion of a number of records, (4) movement and/or duplication of existing records, and (5) modification and duplication of records. In addition, it is possible to extract a version history of the number of records created or modified by date. A special file listing program is described which prints the file records without showing the version codes, but places a "change bar" at the right margin whenever a change is detected. The program also provides a list of changed pages and a version history.

Tausworthe, R. C.↗

A new multirate sampled-data control law structure and synthesis algorithm

A new multirate sampled-data control law structure is defined and a new parameter-optimization-based synthesis algorithm for that structure is introduced. The synthesis algorithm can be applied to multirate, multiple-input multiple-output, sampled-data control laws having a prescribed dynamic order and structure, and a priori specified sampling/update rates for all sensors, processor states, and control inputs. The synthesis algorithm is applied to design two-input, two-output tip position controllers of various dynamic orders for a sixth-order, two-link robot arm model.

Berg, Martin C.↗

Entry Guidance Design and Post-Flight Performance of the Mars 2020 Mission

Like its predecessor Mars Science Laboratory, the Mars 2020 mission successfully utilized a derivative of the Apollo Entry Terminal Point Controller guidance algorithm, whereby bank angle controls range flown along a trajectory. The flight performance of this algorithm in conjunction with a range-trigger for parachute deploy delivered the Perseverance rover to 1.7 km from the expected touchdown location within an ellipse of 7.5 x 5.2 km. This miss distance is largely attributed to atmospheric and aerodynamic modeling uncertainties between the design and as-flown trajectory. This algorithm for guided entry continues to provide a solid basis for Mars missions to improve upon.

Guidance↗

Post-Flight EDL Entry Guidance for the Mars 2020 Mission

Like its predecessor Mars Science Laboratory, the Mars 2020 mission successfully utilized a derivative of the Apollo Entry Terminal Point Controller guidance algorithm, whereby bank angle controls range flown along a trajectory. The flight performance of this algorithm in conjunction with a range-trigger for parachute deploy delivered the Perseverance rover to 1.7 km from the expected touchdown location within an ellipse of 7.5 x 5.2 km. This miss distance is largely attributed to atmospheric and aerodynamic modeling uncertainties between the design and as-flown trajectory. This algorithm for guided entry continues to provide a solid basis for Mars missions to improve upon.

Guidance↗

Parallel pivoting combined with parallel reduction and fill-in control

Parallel algorithms for triangularization of large, sparse, and unsymmetric matrices are presented. The method combines the parallel reduction with a new parallel pivoting technique, control over generation of fill-ins and check for numerical stability, all done in parallel with the work being distributed over the active processes. The parallel pivoting technique uses the compatibility relation between pivots to identify parallel pivot candidates and uses the Markowitz number of pivots to minimize fill-in. This technique is not a preordering of the sparse matrix and is applied dynamically as the decomposition proceeds.

Alaghband, Gita↗

An expert system to perform on-line controller restructuring for abrupt model changes

This paper presents the work in progress on an expert system utilized to tune and reconfigure airframe/engine control systems on-line in real time in response to structural or battle damage failures. The closed loop system is monitored constantly for changes in performance and structure, which detection prompts the expert system to select and apply a particular control restructuring algorithm based on the severity and type of damage. Control restructuring algorithms that have been implemented handle most failure cases involving actuator damage (control mixer) and many instances where the system dynamics are altered as well (modified control mixer).

Litt, Jonathan↗

Development of an optimal automatic control law and filter algorithm for steep glideslope capture and glideslope tracking

A digital automatic control law to capture a steep glideslope and track the glideslope to a specified altitude is developed for the longitudinal/vertical dynamics of a CTOL aircraft using modern estimation and control techniques. The control law uses a constant gain Kalman filter to process guidance information from the microwave landing system, and acceleration from body mounted accelerometer data. The filter outputs navigation data and wind velocity estimates which are used in controlling the aircraft. Results from a digital simulation of the aircraft dynamics and the control law are presented for various wind conditions.

Halyo, N.↗

Genetic algorithms for adaptive real-time control in space systems

Genetic Algorithms that are used for learning as one way to control the combinational explosion associated with the generation of new rules are discussed. The Genetic Algorithm approach tends to work best when it can be applied to a domain independent knowledge representation. Applications to real time control in space systems are discussed.

Vanderzijp, J.↗

Independent modal space control with positive position feedback

An independent modal space control (IMSC) algorithm is presented, whose modal control forces are generated from a positive position feedback (PPF) strategy. The proposed algorithm combines the attributes of both the IMSC and the PPF, and maintains the simplicity of the IMSC as it designs the controller of a complex structure at the uncoupled modal level. The effectiveness of the algorithm in damping out the vibration of flexible structures is validated experimentally. A simple cantilevered beam is employed as an example of a flexible structure whose multimodes of vibration are controlled by a single actuator. Performance of the active control system is determined in the frequency and the time domains. The experimental results indicate the potential of the proposed methodology as a viable method for controlling the vibration of large flexible structures.

Baz, A.↗

Adaptive control and noise suppression by a variable-gain gradient algorithm

An adaptive control system based on normalized LMS filters is investigated. The finite impulse response of the nonparametric controller is adaptively estimated using a given reference model. Specifically, the following issues are addressed: The stability of the closed loop system is analyzed and heuristically established. Next, the adaptation process is studied for piecewise constant plant parameters. It is shown that by introducing a variable-gain in the gradient algorithm, a substantial reduction in the LMS adaptation rate can be achieved. Finally, process noise at the plant output generally causes a biased estimate of the controller. By introducing a noise suppression scheme, this bias can be substantially reduced and the response of the adapted system becomes very close to that of the reference model. Extensive computer simulations validate these and demonstrate assertions that the system can rapidly adapt to random jumps in plant parameters.

Merhav, S. J.↗

Thrust stand evaluation of engine performance improvement algorithms in an F-15 airplane

An investigation is underway to determine the benefits of a new propulsion system optimization algorithm in an F-15 airplane. The performance seeking control (PSC) algorithm optimizes the quasi-steady-state performance of an F100 derivative turbofan engine for several modes of operation. The PSC algorithm uses an onboard software engine model that calculates thrust, stall margin, and other unmeasured variables for use in the optimization. As part of the PSC test program, the F-15 aircraft was operated on a horizontal thrust stand. Thrust was measured with highly accurate load cells. The measured thrust was compared to onboard model estimates and to results from posttest performance programs. Thrust changes using the various PSC modes were recorded. Those results were compared to benefits using the less complex highly integrated digital electronic control (HIDEC) algorithm. The PSC maximum thrust mode increased intermediate power thrust by 10 percent. The PSC engine model did very well at estimating measured thrust and closely followed the transients during optimization. Quantitative results from the evaluation of the algorithms and performance calculation models are included with emphasis on measured thrust results. The report presents a description of the PSC system and a discussion of factors affecting the accuracy of the thrust stand load measurements.

Conners, Timothy R.↗

Genetic Algorithm Optimizes Q-LAW Control Parameters

A document discusses a multi-objective, genetic algorithm designed to optimize Lyapunov feedback control law (Q-law) parameters in order to efficiently find Pareto-optimal solutions for low-thrust trajectories for electronic propulsion systems. These would be propellant-optimal solutions for a given flight time, or flight time optimal solutions for a given propellant requirement. The approximate solutions are used as good initial solutions for high-fidelity optimization tools. When the good initial solutions are used, the high-fidelity optimization tools quickly converge to a locally optimal solution near the initial solution. Q-law control parameters are represented as real-valued genes in the genetic algorithm. The performances of the Q-law control parameters are evaluated in the multi-objective space (flight time vs. propellant mass) and sorted by the non-dominated sorting method that assigns a better fitness value to the solutions that are dominated by a fewer number of other solutions. With the ranking result, the genetic algorithm encourages the solutions with higher fitness values to participate in the reproduction process, improving the solutions in the evolution process. The population of solutions converges to the Pareto front that is permitted within the Q-law control parameter space.

Lee, Seungwon↗