Flight Control System Design with Rate Saturating Actuators

Hess, R. A.; Snell, S. A.

Actuator rate saturation is an important factor adversely affecting the stability and performance of aircraft flight control systems. It has been identified as a catalyst in pilot-induced oscillations, some of which have been catastrophic. A simple design technique is described that utilizes software rate limiters to improve the performance of control systems operating in the presence of actuator rate saturation. As described, the technique requires control effectors to be ganged such that any effector is driven by only a single compensated error signal. Using an analysis of the steady-state behavior of the system, requirements are placed upon the type of the loop transmissions and compensators in the proposed technique. Application of the technique to the design of a multi-input/multi-output, lateral-directional control system for a simple model of a high-performance fighter is demonstrated as are the stability and performance improvements that can accrue with the technique.

Document ID

19980017538

Acquisition Source

Langley Research Center

Document Type

Contractor Report (CR)

Authors

Date Acquired

September 6, 2013

Publication Date

January 1, 1997

Publication Information

Publication: Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics

Publisher: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Volume: 20

Issue: 1

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Report/Patent Number

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Public

Public Use Permitted.

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