Title :
Multivariable Control of the Bell 412 Helicopter
Author :
Walker, Daniel J. ; Manimala, Binoy J. ; Voskuijl, Mark ; Gubbels, Arthur W.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Eng., Liverpool Univ.
Abstract :
In December 2005 the first flight-test took place of an H-infinity controller on the National Research Council of Canada´s Bell 412 Advanced Systems Research Aircraft (ASRA). The ASRA is a helicopter which has been modified for research use; it is equipped with a programmable digital full-authority fly-by-wire control system. This paper presents results from the test, and discusses the collaborative project within which it took place. The aim of the project is to develop control laws meeting handling qualities criteria and providing structural load alleviation and flight envelope protection. Piloted simulation using Liverpool´s advanced flight simulator is a feature of the research. One of the first goals of the project was to produce simulation models of the test aircraft. The paper discusses how the new models were used in a control law design. Results from flight test of the control law are presented. Using linear analysis, closed-loop bandwidths of 4.2 rad/s in roll and 3.0 rad/s in pitch were accurately predicted
Keywords :
Hinfin control; aerospace simulation; closed loop systems; helicopters; multivariable control systems; Advanced Systems Research Aircraft; Bell 412 helicopter; H-infinity controller; advanced flight simulator; closed-loop bandwidths; control law design; flight-test; multivariable control; programmable digital full-authority fly-by-wire control system; test aircraft; Aerospace control; Aerospace simulation; Aircraft; Collaboration; Control systems; Councils; Digital control; H infinity control; Helicopters; Testing;
Conference_Titel :
Decision and Control, 2006 45th IEEE Conference on
Conference_Location :
San Diego, CA
Print_ISBN :
1-4244-0171-2
DOI :
10.1109/CDC.2006.377786