Practical Methods for Aircraft and Rotorcraft Flight Control Systems: An Optimization-Based Approach [Bookshelf]

This book provides information covering the fundamentals of control theory and optimization applied to real-world flight control systems. Covers the following topics: the challenges inherent in flight control system design; an overview of their core approach to flight control system design utilizing multiobjective parametric optimization; the specific software developed called Control Designer’s Unified Interface (CONDUIT); detailed explanations of the tools, plots, language, and four key components involved in defining the problem using CONDUIT; the XV-15 hover/forward flight case study is discussed in sufficient detail for even seasoned veterans to find the presentation informative and useful. Here the authors have done an excellent job of demonstrating many flight control concepts; proprietary specifications; methodologies for developing simulation models of model-based flight control system designs; design of flight control systems; the inner workings of the design optimization approach. The coverage includes specifics of various algorithms, along with their relative advantages and disadvantages. This chapter also provides insights into sequential loop closure strategies, with emphasis on their effectiveness and practical use; nested versus simultaneous multiloop strategies; and design considerations for real-world applications. This book serves as an excellent reference for senior undergraduate and/or graduate students, and it provides a wellbalanced perspective covering the theory, implementation, and practical applications of flight control design.