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. Alldata 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 systemidentification 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 developedwithout the need for experimental testing during the design phase. The toolbox itself will be marketed as a product to the research and development community. It will allow researchers from the controls community to work on fluid dynamics problems, whichwill promote this interdisciplinary field of feedback flow control. Secondly, the existence of the toolbox as a research tool will save funding agencies money by avoiding duplicate development of software tools for different contracts. It will also improvethe quality of research by providing a well tested set of tools.