Electronic simulation and computer techniques in the design of automatic control systems

Computing techniques for the development of aircraft automatic control systems are described which commence with a completely theoretical investigation on an analogue computer, thence by the introduction of more and more actual components to a complete simulator. Preliminary component specifications are ascertained for any given overall system characteristics. The testing of components which have been developed for use in the actual system is carried out to check the final characteristics of the system. Techniques which have been developed for the inclusion of complex mechanical loads in such simulators, and also the part played by the human operator in a control system are described. The idea of a computer which is capable of automatically setting its own coefficients (i.e. system parameters) so as to give an optimized overall system response is discussed briefly.