Practical LPV Modeling and Control Framework for Aeroelastic Morphing UAV

ZONA Technology proposed in Phase I a modeling and synthesis framework for the control of morphing elastic wing structures. The merit of the novel strategy to control in-flight large-scale geometrical shape changes while maintaining the overall vehicle stability and control, has been confirmed by ZONA’s detailed simulation studies. In Phase II, a recently developed unified aeroelastic and flight dynamic modeling capability will be adapted and applied to model the fully aeroelastic Morphing UAV dynamics. In addition, this formulation will allow the inclusion of stability and control derivatives, estimated through wind-tunnel and/or flight tests, to achieve a higher fidelity aerodynamic model. The proposed multi-loop controller topology assures both proven structure and self-scheduled features. Implementation issues of the synthesized multi-loop controller are readily accounted for using closed-loop pole placement linear matrix inequality regions. A comprehensive suite of software and hardware-in-the-loop tests using representative aerodynamic loads, computed using the unified aeroelastic and flight dynamic formulation, are planned to demonstrate the seamless integration of these of new technologies. Deliverables include the tailored unified formulation for Morphing UAV dynamics as well as the multi-loop flight controller methodology. Marketing the resulting software module will be simplified by taking advantage of ZONA's current extensive customer support.