Doppler FOSS Validation on X-56A Wing

Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)

Description

Aircraft flight control systems typically use feedback control sensors that measure parameters such as vehicle attitude, pressure, and acceleration. This works well for controlling the flight dynamics of a rigid vehicle. Increasingly flexible vehicles require consideration of the vehicle structural dynamics to ensure adverse control system interaction is avoided and if necessary, the vehicle structural dynamics are actively controlled as well. Multi-purpose control systems would control both the vehicle flight dynamics and structural dynamics. X-56A demonstrated active control of the vehicle structural dynamics by flying past the body freedom flutter speed while maintaining vehicle control.

Benefits

Using an updated FOSS processing system and new Doppler FOSS analysis algorithm, distributed velocity information can be calculated throughout the entire structure where FOSS is installed. Doppler FOSS enables full state feedback control based on direct measurements, which improves controller robustness and performance. These improvements also enable implementation for new control laws with applications such as controlling flexible vehicles. This CIF seeks to perform a ground test using the X56A wings to validate the Doppler FOSS system for future control application.

Details

Technology area	Flight Vehicle Systems
Program	Center Innovation Fund: AFRC CIF (AFRC CIF)
Lead organization	Armstrong Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA
Start date	2020-10-01
End date	2021-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Alexander W Chin — alexander.w.chin@nasa.gov

How to get involved

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