Identification of nonlinear flight dynamics: theory and practice

This article presents an innovative time-domain nonlinear mapping-based identification method. The method reported is applied to identify the unknown parameters of multivariable dynamic systems which are mapped by nonlinear differential equations. A systematic identification method is introduced, and a novel algorithm is developed using nonlinear error maps. An analysis of parameter convergence is provided and the regions of convergence can be found using the second method of Lyapunov. Innovative nonquadratic Lyapunov functions are designed and used. Analytical and numerical studies are performed to illustrate and validate the identification concept. The unsteady flight of a high-alpha aircraft in the longitudinal axis is chosen as a nonlinear case study. The unknown parameters are identified. Simulation results show that the model dynamics match the experimental data. The reported example demonstrates that the time-domain nonlinear mapping-based identification method ensures robustness and reduces major shortcomings in stability, convergence, and computational efficiency compared with other algorithms available     

Aircraft flight control system design under state and controlbounds

Sophisticated control configurations are needed to meet the mission and pilotage requirements for advanced aircraft. The required vehicle performance during low altitude, low speed and high angle of attack flight, all-weather, day and night operations must be achieved, and new control technologies should be developed. This work presents a systematic control design philosophy for flight control systems when the state variables and control inputs are bounded by the prespecified constraints. The design procedure uses the dynamic programming concept. The fundamental idea involves minimization of nonquadratic functionals. A new representation of constraints is proposed using the smooth functions. The advantages of the synthesis approach are presented. To illustrate the design methodology the longitudinal control configuration for the F-18 fighter is synthesized     

High-torque density integrated electro-mechanical flight actuators

Electro-mechanical flight actuators (EMFAs) are core flight-critical vehicle components. Fly-by-wire or fly-by-light control of EMFAs is performed by flight management systems (flight, mission, propulsion, and integrated controls that manage any combination of specific flight, mission, and propulsion functions). Reported here are novel results in the analysis of EMFAs with permanent-magnet synchronous motors, with particular interest in the application of brushless high-torque density motors which have superior characteristics compared with other state-of-the-art motor technologies. It is shown that due to nonlinearities and bounds, new control algorithms must be developed and implemented to achieve a spectrum of performance and requirements for EMFAs. A number of important issues in control, analysis, model development, integration, and verification are studied. Tracking control algorithms are synthesized, stability studied, and novel analysis results are reported. Advanced computer-aided engineering software tools and emerging simulation-based design environments are used to guarantee high fidelity modeling and analysis within data intensive simulation. Proof-of-concept demonstration testbeds for the design of advanced EMFAs and their components are developed, and EMFA imitator performance thoroughly studied. Verification of the concepts reported are formed and documented. Precise tracking, disturbance attenuation, accuracy, stability, robustness, and excellent acceleration capabilities are reported. A demonstration is performed to substantiate the theoretical analyses to add credence to its applicability as an approach and method that the designer of future EMFAs can use to design a new class of actuators for aircraft flight control surfaces     

Electromechanical flight actuators for advanced flight vehicles

The aircraft flight quantities and success of the mission depend to a great extent upon the actuator performance, and flight actuators must be designed to achieve the specified criteria. Electromechanical flight actuators driven by electric motors have begun to displace hydraulic technology in advanced flight vehicles. In aerospace application, permanent-magnet stepper motors are perfectly suited due to their efficiency and reliability, low volume-, weight-, and size-to-torque ratios, high power and torque densities, low cost and maintenance, simplicity and ruggedness, etc. Conventional open-loop stepper motor servos do not ensure the required accuracy and dynamic performance. An innovative method in motion control of advanced electromechanical flight actuators is developed, and nonlinear controllers are designed. The specified tracking accuracy, desired stability margins, microstepping capabilities, and disturbance attenuation are ensured by the robust nonlinear controllers synthesized. Analytical, numerical, and experimental results are documented to study the performance of flight actuators directly driven by stepper motors and to demonstrate the efficiency of control algorithms     

Smart flight control surfaces with microelectromechanical systems

Pitch, roll, and yaw moments can be developed by deflecting and changing the geometry of control surfaces. In this paper, smart flight control surfaces are designed using multi-node microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to displace control surfaces and change the surface geometry. These MEMS augment translational motion microstructures (actuators-sensors), controlling/signal processing integrated circuits (ICs), radiating energy devices and antennas. The desired pitch, roll, and yaw moments are produced, drag can be reduced, and unsteady aerodynamic flows are controlled by smart flight control surfaces. That is, we achieve aerodynamic moment and active flow control capabilities. The major objective here is to report fundamental and applied research in design of smart flight control surfaces with MEMS-based actuator-sensor-IC arrays controlled by hierarchical distributed systems. We demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the application of smart flight control surfaces for coordinated longitudinal and lateral vehicle control