A large-scale transputer network application: the aero-mechanical simulation of a single-rotor helicopter for control system design

Abstract

The proposed role for future advanced rotorcraft requires superior agility and enhanced safety, coupled with a reduced pilot workload. More elaborate flight control systems will therefore be required which will have to be digitally implemented. New design methodologies will be required, in turn necessitating the development of new tools. One such tool will be a more complex real-time simulation of helicopter dynamics. This paper describes a generic real-time computer model of helicopter dynamics that eliminates the need for simplifying assumptions to enable real-time operation. A concurrent approach is used that exploits the natural parallelism of the helicopter dynamics. Implemented on a transputer network, the model exhibits ideal qualities as a development tool for advanced helicopters and their systems.