A Comparative Study on the Performance of Model Reference Adaptive Control System Utilizing Linearized and Nonlinear Aircraft Models

Abstract

This paper provides a comparative study between the performance of Model Reference Adaptive Controller (MRAC) using linearized and nonlinear commercial aircraft models. The linearized and nonlinear flight dynamics of the aircraft were generated using NASA Transport Class Model (TCM). MRAC was developed in pervious study but implemented and integrated with the TCM model to compare its performance on linearized and nonlinear aircraft models. This study focused on comparing the performance of MRAC only with longitudinal model of the aircraft. In addition, the study compares the responses of the angle of attack (AOA) using both models. The simulation tests of the study was conducted under known flight trim conditions. The simulation results showed that MRAC produced comparable responses with linearized and nonlinear aircraft models. Implementation of the MARC on the aircraft models as well as the simulation architectures and test results are all presented in this paper.