Design of a Helicopter Stability and Control Augmentation System Using Optimal Control Theory.

Abstract

The report presents the design of a helicopter stability and control augmentation system using optimal control techniques. The helicopter used as an example was the Sikorsky H-53, but the design procedure is applicable to other helicopters as well. Only the longitudinal dynamics are considered. A technique is described for the design of multivariable feedback controllers based upon results in optimal control theory. For a specified performance index the feedback controller is obtained by solving the matrix Riccati equation. A model is used in the forward controller such that the response of the model to pilot inputs approximates the desired helicopter response. A fixed gain controller is obtained which may be used over the entire helicopter flight envelope. The results show that optimal control theory can be used to design a helicopter stability and control augmentation system. Responses obtained may be classified as those which are desirable and yield good handling qualities. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1971
Accession Number
AD0732911

Entities

People

  • Alvin Rudolph Lang

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Control Theory
  • Differential Equations
  • Dynamics
  • Equations
  • Feedback
  • Helicopters
  • Linear Differential Equations
  • Mathematical Analysis
  • Mathematics
  • Real Variables
  • Riccati Equation

Readers

  • Adaptive Control and Estimation with Uncertainty in Dynamic Systems.
  • Aerospace Engineering