ALBERT

Description: The evolution in the use of state estimation is traced for the analysis of aircraft flight data. A unifying mathematical framework for state estimation is reviewed, and several examples are presented that illustrate a general approach for checking instrument accuracy and data consistency, and for estimating variables that are difficult to measure. Recent applications associated with research aircraft flight tests and airline turbulence upsets are described. A computer program for aircraft state estimation is discussed in some detail. This document is intended to serve as a user's manual for the program called SMACK (SMoothing for AirCraft Kinematics). The diversity of the applications described emphasizes the potential advantages in using SMACK for flight-data analysis.

Description: The computer program SMACK (SMoothing for AirCraft Kinematics) is designed to provide flightpath reconstruction of aircraft forces and motions from measurements that are noisy or incomplete. Additionally, SMACK provides a check on instrument accuracy and data consistency. The program can be used to analyze data from flight-test experiments prior to their use in performance, stability and control, or aerodynamic modeling calculations. It can also be used in the analysis of aircraft accidents, where the actual forces and motions may have to be determined from a very limited data set. Application of a state-estimation method for flightpath reconstruction is possible because aircraft forces and motions are related by well-known equations of motion. The task of postflight state estimation is known as a nonlinear, fixed-interval smoothing problem. SMACK utilizes a backward-filter, forward-smoother algorithm to solve the problem. The equations of motion are used to produce estimates that are compared with their corresponding measurement time histories. The procedure is iterative, providing improved state estimates until a minimum squared-error measure is achieved. In the SMACK program, the state and measurement models together represent a finite-difference approximation for the six-degree-of-freedom dynamics of a rigid body. The models are used to generate time histories which are likely to be found in a flight-test measurement set. These include onboard variables such as Euler angles, angular rates, and linear accelerations as well as tracking variables such as slant range, bearing, and elevation. Any bias or scale-factor errors associated with the state or measurement models are appended to the state vector and treated as constant but unknown parameters. The SMACK documentation covers the derivation of the solution algorithm, describes the state and measurement models, and presents several application examples that should help the analyst recognize the potential advantages of using state estimation. Complete instructions are given for preparing a coding list for problem solution by SMACK. The use of SMACK as part of an overall flight-test methodology is illustrated, as well as its application for analysis of a windshear accident. The details required for installing the program are presented, including sample output listings to facilitate testing. SMACK is written in FORTRAN 77 for DEC VAX series computers running VMS. Two versions of the source code are provided, a single precision version, which can be ported to Cray series computers, and a VAX double precision version. SMACK can call routines from the commercial package IMSL, or replacement routines which are provided can be used. SMACK solution variables to be plotted are written to an ASCII plot file. A sample plotting program, which is designed to be used with the DISSPLA graphics package, is included; however this program can easily be modified for use with other xy plotting packages. The double precision version requires 10Mb of RAM for execution under VMS. SMACK is available in DEC VAX BACKUP format on a 9-track 1600 BPI magnetic tape (standard distribution) or on a TK50 tape cartridge. This program was developed in 1991. DEC, VAX, and VMS are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation. DISSPLA is a trademark of Computer Associates, Inc. IMSL is a registered trademark of IMSL, Inc.

Description: This paper traces the evolution of the use of state estimation in the analysis of aircraft flight data and discusses some recent applications associated with airline turbulence upsets and high-angle-of-attack flight tests. A unifying mathematical framework for state estimation is reviewed, and several examples are shown that illustrate a general approach for estimating variables that are difficult to measure. It is hoped that the diversity of the applications discussed and the examples presented will make the flight-data analyst mindful of the potential advantages of using state estimation methods.

Description: Flight-test techniques are being used to generate a data base for identification of a full-envelope aerodynamic model of a V/STOL fighter aircraft, the YAV-8B Harrier. The flight envelope to be modeled includes hover, transition to conventional flight and back to hover, STOL operation, and normal cruise. Standard V/STOL procedures such as vertical takeoff and landings, and short takeoff and landings are used to gather data in the powered-lift flight regime. Long (3 to 5 min) maneuvers which include a variety of input types are used to obtain large-amplitude control and response excitations. The aircraft is under continuous radar tracking; a laser tracker is used for V/STOL operations near the ground. Tracking data are used with state-estimation techniques to check data consistency and to derive unmeasured variables, for example, angular accelerations. A propulsion model of the YAV-8B's engine and reaction control system is used to isolate aerodynamic forces and moments for model identification. Representative V/STOL flight data are presented. The processing of a typical short takeoff and slow landing maneuver is illustrated.

Description: Described is a flight test methodology for developing a data base to be used to identify an aerodynamic model of a vertical and short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) fighter aircraft. The aircraft serves as a test bed at Ames for ongoing research in advanced V/STOL control and display concepts. The flight envelope to be modeled includes hover, transition to conventional flight, and back to hover, STOL operation, and normaL cruise. Although the aerodynamic model is highly nonlinear, it has been formulated to be linear in the parameters to be identified. Motivation for the flight test methodology advocated in this paper is based on the choice of a linear least-squares method for model identification. The paper covers elements of the methodology from maneuver design to the completed data base. Major emphasis is placed on the use of state estimation with tracking data to ensure consistency among maneuver variables prior to their entry into the data base. The design and processing of a typical maneuver is illustrated.

Description: Flight-test techniques are being used to generate a data base for identification of a full-envelope aerodynamic model of a V/STOL fighter aircraft, the YAV-8B Harrier. The flight envelope to be modeled includes hover, transition to conventionally flight and back to hover, STOL operation, and normal cruise. Standard V/STOL operation, and normal cruise. Standard V/STOL procedures such as vertical takeoff and landings, and short takeoff and landings are used to gather data in the powered-lift flight regime. Long (3-5-min) maneuvers which include a variety of input types are used to obtain large-amplitude control and response excitations. The aircraft is under continuous radar tracking; a laser tracker is used for V/STOL operations near the ground. Tracking data are used with state-estimation techniques to check data consistency and to derive unmeasured variables, for example, angular accelerations. A propulsion model of the YAV-8B's engine and reaction control system is used to isolate aerodynamic forces and moments for model identification. Representative V/STOL flight data are presented. The processing of a typical short-takeoff and slow-landing maneuver is illustrated.

Description: The present paper describes an optimization capability for sizing airframe structures that are subjected to a combination of deterministic and random loads. Design constraints are implemented to prevent structural failure in fatigue and due to a single exceedance of the allowable stress. The random load is treated as a stationary, homogeneous process with a Gaussian probability distribution, and a frequency domain method is used for the computation of dynamic response parameters. An equal-probability-of-load-combination criterion is proposed in the formulation of strength constraints. This alleviates problems associated with the incomplete phase information available when using power spectral density methods. The optimization procedure is illustrated by examples using typical built-up structures.