LPV analysis of a gain scheduled control for an aeroelastic aircraft

Abstract

This paper considers the performance of a gain scheduled flight control law for an aeroelastic aircraft. A nonlinear aeroelastic model of the Rockwell B-1 Lancer is used as the application example. Gain scheduling via interpolation of point designs is the predominant method used in industry to develop a full-envelope flight control law. Certification and validation of these nonlinear gain-scheduled algorithms traditionally depends on linear metrics of robustness and massive nonlinear simulations efforts. The framework of Linear Parameter-Varying (LPV) systems offers a rigorous methodology for analysis that compliments traditional methods. New results on robust performance conditions in the LPV framework allows the analysis to take into account uncertainty in the aircraft model. The performance of the B-1 aircraft gain scheduled controller is evaluated using LPV metrics of robustness.