Robust Kalman Filter Thrust Estimation in a Turbofan Engine

Abstract

This article will present that a robust Kalman filter design has a favorable property, when applied on thrust estimation on a low bypass turbofan gas turbine engine, compared to the regular Kalman filter design. This property is a larger operation range in parameters around the linearization point. On the other hand, the robust Kalman filter has marginally lower accuracy at the linearization point. This paper will present a method for describing the uncertainties in the engine model for use in the design of a robust Kalman filter. Both a regular Kalman filter and a robust Kalman filters are evaluated through simulations around a linearization point by using simulations of a nonlinear military turbofan engine.