Multi-Outer Loop Adaptive Control for a VTOL Free-Wing Aircraft

Rachel M. Axten, Thanakorn Khamvilai, Eric N. Johnson

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

This work extends a typical series cascade control structure to a multi-outer loop system applicable to coupled rigid body systems, including a VTOL free-wing aircraft. In this case, there are now external command signals from multiple outer subsystems that are designed simultaneously for a single inner subsystem. In the scenario of a VTOL free-wing aircraft, which has similar pitch dynamics to an aircraft coupled with a short, heavy-slung load in hover, the conventional outer loop adjusts the wing pitch attitude command to achieve the desired position and velocity. Simultaneously, a “swing loop” introduced in this work has a separate desired wing pitch attitude to achieve fuselage pitch damping. A Lyapunov stability analysis is included for the proposed multi-outer loop dynamic inversion architecture with a neuro-adaptive element to capture modeling errors. The proposed architecture successfully stabilizes a VTOL free-wing aircraft with simulation and flight test results included to demonstrate achieved fuselage damping in flight around hover.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, 2024
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA
ISBN (Print)9781624107115
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024
EventAIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, 2024 - Orlando, United States
Duration: Jan 8 2024Jan 12 2024

Publication series

NameAIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, 2024

Conference

ConferenceAIAA SciTech Forum and Exposition, 2024
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando
Period1/8/241/12/24

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering

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