Hierarchical control of aircraft propulsion systems: Discrete event supervisor approach

This paper presents an application of the recently developed theory of language-measure-based discrete event supervisory (DES) control to aircraft propulsion systems. A two-layer hierarchical architecture is proposed to coordinate the operations of a twin-engine propulsion system. The two engines are individually controlled to achieve enhanced performance and reliability, as necessary for fulfilling the mission objectives. Each engine, together with its continuously varying control system, is operated at the lower level under the supervision of a local discrete-event controller for condition monitoring and life extension; the gain-scheduled feedback controller that is used to maintain the specified performance of the turbofan engine is kept unaltered. A global DES controller at the upper level coordinates the local DES controllers for load balancing and health management of the propulsion system.