Computational Methods for Feedback Controllers for Aerodynamics Flow Applications

A software toolbox for closed loop flow control investigations will be developed. Our proposed toolbox integrates a well tested Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solver (Cobalt) with feedback and controls specific software tools implemented in Matlab. All data exchange and output will use efficient open standard data formats to interface the results to most any commercial visualization package. This integrated software package will allow the development of feedback control algorithms from system identification through low dimensional modeling, controller design, and sensor placement all the way to controller testing on the truth model, the CFD simulation. Since all of these steps are implemented as simulation tools, a controller can be developed without the need for experimental testing during the design phase.