Nonlinear Control of a High-Performance Aircraft Engine

Abstract

*† ‡ § Direct design of nonlinear control systems from the real-time simulation model of an aircraft engine is discussed. The benefits of the design approach are that it permits rapid prototyping, and leverages all the investments made in the engine model development into better control system designs. Nonlinear control system design using a component level simulation model of a high-pressure ratio, dual spool, low bypass, variable cycle, militarytype engine is presented. Numerical design methods are used to automatically generate controller C-code. Command tracking and mode blending between low and high-power operations are illustrated. Monte-Carlo simulations are carried out to investigate the robustness of nonlinear engine control systems with respect to parameter variations. Robustness comparisons are given with a previous gain scheduled linear control law.