Optimization and comparison of alternative flight control system design methods using a common set of handling-qualities criteria

Abstract

Optimization and comparison of several alternative control system design methods against a common extensive set of dynamics response criteria is demonstrated using the Control Designer's Unified Interface (CONDUIT ®). The alternative methods considered are Classical, LQR, Dynamic Inverse and H-infinity as applied to the design of lateral/directional control laws for a transport aircraft. From poor initial guesses for the design parameters of each alternative method, CONDUIT ® first achieved a feasible design space that satisfied the stability and handling qualities to the best (Level 1) criteria. Final controller tuning was accomplished to minimize the performance metrics of crossover frequency and actuator RMS, while maintaining the Level 1 design criteria. An important