Browse Topic: Electronic control systems
Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft introduce complex monitoring challenges due to distributed propulsion, lightweight structures, and variable operating conditions. This paper presents advanced Frequency and Orders domain techniques that repurpose existing flight control, propulsion, and structural sensor data to enhance observability without additional instrumentation. By transforming vibration, acoustic, and electrical signals into frequency and order domains, the approach enables detection of harmonics, resonance, and fault signatures tied to rotor dynamics, supporting adaptive control and predictive maintenance. Beyond rotor systems, these techniques are equally effective for monitoring electric motor health, gearbox wear, bearing degradation, and structural coupling effects in composite airframes. They also provide insight into power electronics and thermal management systems by identifying spectral anomalies linked to electrical imbalance or cooling inefficiencies. Aggregated fleet data strengthens prognostic capabilities, enabling early detection of systemic issues and trend analysis. Applications include mitigating ground resonance and modal instabilities, as well as improving reliability of propulsion and structural subsystems. Integration into avionics emphasizes computational efficiency, scalability, and compliance with standards such as DO-160 [1], DO-178 [2], ARP4761 [3] and ARP4764 [4]. Simulation and bench testing confirm feasibility, demonstrating potential to enhance safety, reliability, and lifecycle cost for next-generation urban air mobility platforms.
Generalized Predictive Control (GPC) is an advanced form of an adaptive control algorithm that uses experimentally acquired data to determine the input-output relationship of complex systems through a process called system identification. GPC has historically been employed for stability augmentation and vibration reduction of dynamically-scaled tiltrotor aircraft wind-tunnel models since the complex nature of these dynamic systems does not lend itself well to traditional control approaches. The present research expands upon previous analytical and experimental work with wind-tunnel experiments that utilize improved GPC techniques. These techniques improved controller robustness such that a working controller was stable across a multitude of model configurations and wind-tunnel conditions and successfully suppressed vibration and vehicle flutter. Advanced GPC (AGPC) enables self-adaptation of a traditional GPC control law. AGPC was also investigated during the present research but was not needed as anticipated because of the robustness resulting from improvements made to traditional GPC.
The development of an adaptive pilot model for rotorcraft tracking tasks is useful to understand and replicate human pilot behavior under varying vehicle dynamics and environmental conditions. This paper presents a Model-Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC)-based pilot model designed to emulate the adaptability of human pilots during attitude and position tracking tasks. The model leverages wavelet analysis to characterize pilot behavior and employs a closed-loop system identification approach to derive baseline pilot parameters. MRAC methodology using state-feedback is implemented and validated through simulations involving time-varying vehicle dynamics, such as changes in control sensitivity and added phase delays. Results demonstrate the model's ability to maintain consistent tracking performance despite dynamic modifications, though discrepancies with human pilot data highlight the complexity of fully capturing adaptive human control strategies. The proposed model offers a framework for integrating human adaptability into flight system design and simulation tools.
ABSTRACT This paper discusses how programs can leverage VICTORY architecture and specifications in order to achieve interoperability between electronics systems integrated with ground vehicles. It explains the contents of the VICTORY architecture, and the concept of compliance with the VICTORY system and component type specifications. It suggests a model for Army ground vehicle programs to utilize the VICTORY architecture and specifications, and a process called guided self-verification to test components for compliance with VICTORY specifications.
This paper proposes a highly integrated 3-in-1 e-Propulsion unit that exceeds current state-of-the-art power density, utilising low-risk, high TRL technologies. The design process of the e-Propulsion unit is outlined, including the development of a high integrity, fault-tolerant system design targeting DAL-A safety levels. The resulting system concept embodies redundancy throughout the electrical system - two sets of windings in the motor and redundancy built into the power electronics create a robust and efficient architecture. The electrical machine is connected to an optimised single stage planetary gearbox to realise output shaft speed and torque suitable for an eVTOL or eCTOL type application. Both systems are cooled and lubricated by a standalone cooling loop.
Within this paper redundancy concepts on electric propulsion systems - consisting of electrical sources, inverters, electrical machines, gearboxes and drag generation units - are discussed. In a first steps different possible concepts are explained. In a general section considerations on the possible concepts are made, with a special focus on the design of the inverters, electrical machines and gearboxes. Advantages and disadvantages are shown and therefore some general assumptions on possible applications discussed. Later, two engineering examples for the concepts of shared drag generation unit and shared electrical machines with inverters are shown. The functionality is shown on measurement examples and experiences made during the design and testing phases are given. Finally, a new concept to reduce the risk of failure propagation in multi-wound motors is shown and discussed.
TEST-Mobility Rxiv event1
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