Parameter-Varying Estimation Toolbox

ZONA Technology, Inc. (ZONA) proposes a R&D effort to develop a Parameter-Varying Estimation (PVE) Toolbox that will rapidly evaluate and predict parameters that are required to certify an aircraft during flutter envelope and flying qualities programs. The work carried out successfully during the Phase I led to the formulation and proof-of-concept validation strategy to predict Flutter/Limit Cycle Oscillation/Pilot-Induced-Oscillations (Flutter/LCO/PIO) phenomena with short or long duration flight test data segments. The PVE Toolbox core algorithms are built upon an integrated parameter estimation framework with flight-condition dependency. These algorithms were proven to be robust enough to tolerate real testing environments. The procedure calls for parameter-varying models to be quickly tuned with modal information embedded in the flight-test data, while block-oriented models can be used to highlight the underlying nonlinear structure embedded in the data. In Phase II, the PVE Toolbox will be furnished with expedient, accurate and computationally efficient routines for nonlinear model estimation, parameter varying operators and stability analysis. The PVE Toolbox is aimed at providing an expedient on-line prediction capability for flutter/LCO/PIO phenomena to be seamlessly integrated with current control room procedures. Deliverables include the PVE Toolbox production software including a GUI, the related user’s and application manuals as well as on-site training course.