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Aircraft Control Systems Exam Guide

For a mid-semester exam on aircraft control systems: 1) A underdamped second order system is solved analytically to find the natural frequency and damping coefficient. 2) The transfer function of a black box system is determined from the output response to a step input. Poles and zeros are identified. 3) A mathematical model of an inverted pendulum on a cart is developed including a block diagram and state-space representation. Transfer functions and poles are derived. 4) A closed-loop system is analyzed to determine the output expression accounting for both a reference input and disturbance input.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
22 views2 pages

Aircraft Control Systems Exam Guide

For a mid-semester exam on aircraft control systems: 1) A underdamped second order system is solved analytically to find the natural frequency and damping coefficient. 2) The transfer function of a black box system is determined from the output response to a step input. Poles and zeros are identified. 3) A mathematical model of an inverted pendulum on a cart is developed including a block diagram and state-space representation. Transfer functions and poles are derived. 4) A closed-loop system is analyzed to determine the output expression accounting for both a reference input and disturbance input.

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Arihant Jha
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© All Rights Reserved
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AE322: Aircraft Control Systems

Mid-Semester Examination, Date: 25-02-2023


Total marks: 40, Total time: 2 hours

(The answers to most of the questions will be in the form of a derivation. Clarity of
intermediate steps is very important. State your assumptions and steps clearly.)

1) For the underdamped case, 𝑚 = 1, 𝑐 = 4, 𝑘 = 25 (substitute values only in the end),


analytically solve (using time-domain method)
𝑚𝑥̈ + 𝑐𝑥̇ + 𝑘𝑥 = 0
for 𝑥(𝑡) with proper steps considering the initial condition case: 𝑥(0) = 0, 𝑥̇ (0) = 0.2.
What is the natural frequency 𝜔𝑛 and damping coefficient 𝜁 of this system? [10]

2) An input 𝑟(𝑡) = 𝑡, 𝑡 ≥ 0, is applied to a black box with a transfer function 𝐺(𝑠). The
resulting output response, when the initial conditions are zero, is
1 3 1
𝑦(𝑡) = 𝑒 −𝑡 − 𝑒 −2𝑡 − + 𝑡, 𝑡≥0
4 4 2
Determine 𝐺(𝑠). Find the poles and zeros of 𝐺(𝑠). [8]

3) An inverted pendulum mounted on a motor-driven cart is shown in the figure given


below. This is a simple model of the attitude control of a space booster on take-off. The
objective of the attitude control problem is to keep the space booster in a vertical
position. Here we consider only a two-dimensional problem in which the pendulum
moves only in the plane of the page. The control force 𝑢 is applied to the cart.

The mathematical model which describes the dynamics of this system is given below.

𝑀𝑥̈ = 𝑢 − 𝑚𝑔𝜃
𝑚𝑙𝜃̈ = (𝑀 + 𝑚)𝑔𝜃 − 𝑢
a) Considering 𝑥 and 𝜃 as the outputs, and 𝑢 as the input, draw a block diagram
representation of this system. (You need to make a clear and neat diagram with all
the required variables denoted in the diagram.) [5]

b) Obtain the mathematical model in state-space (matrix) form, again considering both
𝑥 and 𝜃 as the measured outputs. [6]

c) Formulate the input-output transfer function matrix. How do you go about deriving
it? (Determination of inverse of the matrix is not required.) Find the characteristic
equation and the system poles. [5]

4) Figure given below shows a closed-loop system with a reference input and a disturbance
input. Obtain the expression for the output 𝐶(𝑠) when both the reference and
disturbance inputs are present. (For analysis, redraw the block diagram and clearly
denote the new signals/variables that you will defining/using.) [6]

Common questions

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To derive the output expression with both reference and disturbance inputs, start by identifying feedback, forward path, and interaction points from the block diagram. Using block diagram algebra, particularly superposition, express the system output C(s) influenced by both inputs. The transfer functions guide multiplication across paths and summation where inputs combine. By methodically applying rules like Mason’s Gain Formula or block diagram reduction techniques, derive a formula expressing C(s) as a function of R(s) (reference input) and D(s) (disturbance input). Each path contributes differently depending on configuration (e.g., series, parallel, feedback).

For an underdamped harmonic oscillator, the natural frequency 𝜔𝑛 and damping coefficient 𝜁 are derived from the system parameters. 𝜔𝑛 is calculated as sqrt(k/m) = sqrt(25/1) = 5. The damping coefficient 𝜁 is calculated as c/(2*sqrt(k*m)) = 4/(2*sqrt(25*1)) = 0.4. These parameters are essential for analyzing oscillation frequency and decay rate under damping.

To find 𝐶(𝑠), express the system's output effect from both reference R(s) and disturbance D(s) using control system relationships. The closed-loop transfer function involves feedback impacting both inputs. Formulate using C(s)/R(s) and C(s)/D(s) separately, often involving combinations of forward paths and feedback loops in the block diagram. Using superposition, derive 𝐶(𝑠) = G1(s)R(s)G2(s) (forward transfer paths) + G3(s)D(s) (disturbance paths), where each G(s) function represents respective pathway gain factors as observed from the diagram.

Deriving the state-space form involves defining the state vector, typically [x, ẋ, 𝜃, 𝜃̇]^T, and manually transforming the given second-order differential equations to first-order system equations. For each physical parameter—mass M for the cart, mass m for the pendulum, length l, and gravity g—convert motion equations to matrices A, B (influence of input), C (outputs [x, 𝜃]) and D (direct input-output). The system form follows ẋ = Ax + Bu, y = Cx + Du. Substituting specific system equations into these matrices leads to a standardized linear system form crucial for control analysis.

Creating a block diagram involves correctly displaying inputs and outputs, feedback loops, and appropriately labeling system characteristics such as state variables and interactions. For an inverted pendulum, distinguish between translational (cart position x) and rotational dynamics (pendulum angle 𝜃). Connect these with interactions (e.g., control force 𝑢 affects cart leading to angular dynamics via a force transfer function). Represent variables such as applied forces, system inertia, and gravity-induced torques accurately. Annotate blocks to correspond with physical components and their mathematical representations, ensuring clarity in how controller outputs affect system behavior.

First, write the characteristic equation associated with the differential equation: 𝑚s^2 + 𝑐s + 𝑘 = 0. For the given values (𝑚 = 1, 𝑐 = 4, 𝑘 = 25), solve for s to find the roots. These roots will be complex conjugates due to the underdamped condition. Using the quadratic formula s = [-c ± sqrt(c^2 - 4mk)]/(2m), substitute the values. The discriminant c^2 - 4mk is negative, indicating complex roots: s = -2 ± 3i. Therefore, the natural frequency 𝜔𝑛 is 5 (since 𝜔𝑛 = sqrt(k/m)), and the damping ratio 𝜁 is 0.4 (since 𝜁 = c/(2*sqrt(k*m))). The solution x(t) considering the initial conditions x(0) = 0 and 𝑥̇(0) = 0.2 can be determined using: x(t) = e^(at)(C1cos(𝜔dt) + C2sin(𝜔dt)), where 𝜔d = 𝜔𝑛√(1-𝜁^2) and a is the real part of s.

The input-output transfer function matrix is derived from the state-space model composed of matrices A, B, C, and D. The transfer function matrix G(s) = C(sI - A)^(-1)B + D. Here, sI represents the identity matrix multiplied by s. To find G(s), first express the output Y(s) in terms of the input U(s) using the state-space equations. Caution is needed in matrix inversions and ensuring correct dimension alignment. The characteristic equation, derived from the determinant |sI - A|, provides poles, the eigenvalues of matrix A, essential for analyzing stability and system response.

Solving a system’s characteristic equation involves forming the equation |sI - A| = 0 from the state-space representation where A is the system matrix and sI is the identity matrix scaled by s. The determinant of (sI - A) set to zero provides the characteristic polynomial. Solving this polynomial, typically through factorization or numerical methods, yields poles of the system—values of s making the determinant zero. These poles determine system stability, with each representing a mode of the system's response.

First, express the given output response y(t) in Laplace transform form considering initial conditions are zero. Transform the input r(t) = t to the Laplace domain: R(s) = 1/s². The output in Laplace domain is Y(s) = L{y(t)}. From the relation Y(s) = G(s)R(s), solve for G(s) by dividing Y(s) by R(s). With Y(s) = e^(-t) transformed as Y(s) = 1/(s+1) and the component contributions from other exponential terms, G(s) can be derived. The poles are the values of s that make the denominator zero after simplifying G(s), and zeros are the values of s that make the numerator zero. Calculations yield complex simple roots for each.

To convert the mathematical model of an inverted pendulum on a cart to a state-space representation, first identify the state variables, commonly x, 𝜃, 𝑥̇, and 𝜃̇. The block diagram shows these state variables as outputs responding to the input force 𝑢. Equations given are: Mẍ = u - mg𝜃 and ml𝜃̈ = (M+m)g𝜃 - u. Representing them as first-order differential equations in state-space form involves setting up A, B, C, D matrices where ẋ = Ax + Bu and y = Cx + Du, accounting for both x and 𝜃 as outputs. This involves linearizing non-linear systems if necessary and ensuring the matrices accurately capture the system dynamics.

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