Application of the Aerospace Multiprocessor to the A-7D Flight Control System.
Abstract
The application of the Aerospace Multiprocessor as the flight control computer for a digital fly-by-wire control system for the A-7D aircraft is described. First a brief discussion of the evolution of flight control systems, ranging from mechanical to digital fly-by-wire, is presented. Next, the topic of digital computers for aircraft flight control is covered. First general computer characteristics are discussed. This is followed by an extensive discussion of Aerospace Multiprocessor characteristics and principles of operation. The present analog flight control system for the A-7D aircraft is described. Various methods of digitizing the A-7D flight control system are considered. The Tustin method of digitization is covered at length, and difference equation derivations are shown in detail. The flight control microprogram written for the Aerospace Multiprocessor is described at a flowchart level. A multiply subroutine, written during this study, is described in detail. Then a description is given of the laboratory tests that were made with the Aerospace Multiprocessor programmed for flight control. Test results are discussed. Finally, the Aerospace Multiprocessor is evaluated regarding its suitability for use in a flight control application. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0768382
Entities
People
- Robert Russell Summers
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology