Application of Modern Control Theory to Scheduling and Path-Stretching Maneuvers of Aircraft in the Near Terminal Area,
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to present a design concept for the dynamic control of aircraft in the near terminal area. An arbitrary set of nominal air routes, with possible multiple merging points, all leading to a single runway is considered. The system allows for the automated determination of acceleration/deceleration of aircraft along the nominal air routes, as well as for the automated determination of path-stretching delay maneuvers. In addition to normal operating conditions the system accommodates (a) variable commanded separations over the outer marker (to allow for takeoffs between successive landings) (b) emergency conditions (in the sense that an aircraft is given partial or complete priority for landing). The system design is based upon the combination of three distinct optimal control problems: (a) a standard linear-quadratic problem, (b) a parameter optimization problem, and (c) a minimum-time rendezvous problem. Simulation results involving twelve aircraft under both normal and emergency conditions will also be presented.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- ADA008722
Entities
People
- Michael Athans
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology