Abstract:
The robust loop-shaping control methodology is applied in the flight control system
design of the Cranfield A3 Observer unmanned, unstable, catapult launched air vehicle.
Detailed linear models for the full operational flight envelope of the air vehicle are
developed. The nominal and worst-case models are determined using the v-gap metric.
The effect of neglecting subsystems such as actuators and/or computation delays on
modelling uncertainty is determined using the v-gap metric and shown to be significant.
Detailed designs for the longitudinal, lateral, and the combined full dynamics TDF
controllers were carried out. The Hanus command signal conditioning technique is also
implemented to overcome actuator saturation and windup. The robust control system is
then successfully evaluated in the high fidelity 6DOF non-linear simulation to assess its
capability of launch stabilization in extreme cross-wind conditions, control
effectiveness in climb, and navigation precision through the prescribed 3D flight path in
level cruise. Robust performance and stability of the single-point non-scheduled control
law is also demonstrated throughout the full operational flight envelope the air vehicle
is capable of and for all flight phases and beyond, to severe launch conditions, such as
33knots crosswind and exaggerated CG shifts.
The robust TDF control law is finally compared with the classical PMC law where the
actual number of variables to be manipulated manually in the design process are shown
to be much less, due to the scheduling process elimination, although the size of the final
controller was much higher. The robust control law performance superiority is
demonstrated in the non-linear simulation for the full flight envelope and in extreme
flight conditions.
