Application of neural networks for the design of flight control algorithms. II Adaptive tuning of neural network control law

In this paper, we consider different approaches for the neural network controller tuning in the flight control system. Two of the most common tuning approaches in the adaptive control theory are applied. The first one uses parameter identification technique and consists in solving a real-time regression problem for the control law. The second approach is based on the Lyapunov direct method, which utilizes a tracking error as an absolute measure of tuning performance. The neural network control law are designed for the three-axis flight control problem and tested on the full nonlinear model of a fighter aircraft. Closed loop simulation results are presented and two adaptation algorithms are compared in the case of abrupt change of aircraft dynamics.     

Material deformation curve approximation in strength and stability analysis

A deformation curve approximation method applicable for materials without yield line and characterized by simple realization and a possibility of explicit representation of the stress-strain dependence is presented. The simplest approximation variant makes it possible to find critical stresses for beams or plates in the closed form.     

Numerical simulation of a flow around airfoil using inviscid gas equations

A method for determining a field of inviscid gas equation application in finding the aerodynamic characteristics of bodies is proposed; as an example, use is made of airfoils for which extensive experimental data are available. The comparative analysis of physical and numerical simulation results showed a good verification of the method presented.     

Evaluation of the influence of a measurable parameter error on precision of determining αΣ and Tg* by regression models

We present the regression models for determining the total excess air ratio α_Σ and gas temperature T _g ^* upstream of the high-pressure turbine formed on the basis of the engine parameter values that are regularly measured. The sensitivity of the regression models presented to the sensor and instrumentation precision is studied. The errors of measuring and calculating α_Σ and T _g ^* in different altitude-speed engine operation conditions are shown.     

The Heliosphere in Time

The paleo-cosmic ray records are used to study the properties of the heliosphere and solar processes over the past 9300 years. They show that both varied greatly over that time, ranging from ～26 “Grand Minima” of duration 50–100 yr when the Sun was inactive, to periods similar to the past 50 years of strong solar activity. This shows that the detailed information regarding the heliosphere gained during the “space era” represents an extreme case, and is not representative of the majority of the past 9300 yr. The data confirm that the 11 and 22-year cycles of solar activity continued through the Spoerer and Maunder Grand Minima. Throughout the 9300 yr interval, “Grand Minima” usually occurred in groups of 2 to 4, similar to the group of four that occurred in the interval 1000–1800 AD. The groups are separated by ～1000 yr intervals without Grand Minima. Frequency spectra of the full 9300 yr record show that the heliospheric and solar phenomena exhibit >10 well-defined and persistent periodicities. We speculate that the solar dynamo exhibits a 2300 yr periodicity, wherein it alternates between two different states of activity. In the first (～800 yr duration) solar activity weakens greatly every 100–200 yr resulting in a sequence of Grand Minima, while in the other, the solar dynamo suffers smaller changes; the centenary scale solar and heliospheric changes are smaller, being similar to those that occurred in the interval 1890–1910. The paleo-cosmic ray evidence suggests that the Sun has now entered this more uniform period of activity, following the sequence of Grand Minima (Wolf, Spoerer, Maunder, and Dalton) that occurred between 1000 and 1800 AD.     

An efficient method for determining a distance at direction finding of target with partially-known parameters

An efficient method for determining the slant distance from a rectilinearly moving target by two bearing measurements is described using a priori information about the probable magnitude of velocity, acceleration, and others. Also given are the assessment of method effectiveness and an illustrative example.     

Searching for Black Holes in Space

Although General Relativity had provided the physical basis of black holes, evidence for their existence had to await the Space Era when X-ray observations first directed the attention of astronomers to the unusual binary stars Cygnus X-1 and A0620-00. Subsequently, a number of faint Ariel 5 and Uhuru X-ray sources, mainly at high Galactic latitude, were found to lie close to bright Seyfert galaxies, suggesting the nuclear activity in AGN might also be driven by accretion in the strong gravity of a black hole. Detection of rapid X-ray variability with EXOSAT later confirmed that the accreting object in an AGN is almost certainly a supermassive black hole.     

Germination and elongation of flax in microgravity.

This experiment was conducted as part of a risk mitigation payload aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis on STS-101. The objectives were to test a newly developed water delivery system, and to determine the optimal combination of water volume and substrate for the imbibition and germination of flax (Linum usitatissimum) seeds in space. Two different combinations of germination paper were tested for their ability to absorb, distribute, and retain water in microgravity. A single layer of thick germination paper was compared with one layer of thin germination paper under a layer of thick paper. Paper strips were cut to fit snugly into seed cassettes, and seeds were glued to them with the micropyle ends pointing outward. Water was delivered in small increments that traveled through the paper via capillary action. Three water delivery volumes were tested, with the largest (480 microliters) outperforming the 400 microliters and 320 microliters volumes for percent germination (90.6%) and root growth (mean=4.1 mm) during the 34-hour spaceflight experiment. The ground control experiment yielded similar results, but with lower rates of germination (84.4%) and shorter root lengths (mean=2.8 mm). It is not clear if the roots emerged more quickly in microgravity and/or grew faster than the ground controls. The single layer of thick germination paper generally exhibited better overall growth than the two layered option. Significant seed position effects were observed in both the flight and ground control experiments. Overall, the design of the water delivery system, seed cassettes and the germination paper strip concept was validated as an effective method for promoting seed germination and root growth under microgravity conditions.     

面向可信的航空嵌入式软件开发方法框架

针对航空综合化软件的可信内涵,即可靠性、安全性和实时性,开展了开发方法的研究,提出了针对性的可信内涵模型和相应的开发过程模型,并设计了基于模型的需求分析、组件化设计以及系统配置综合的开发方法框架.在开发方法框架研究过程中,重点分析了航空综合化软件平台的特征,即因为物理资源的限制,软件任务之间存在复杂的交互、资源竞争和共享关系,并分析了这些特征对其可靠性、安全性和实时性的影响.