Research on Flight First Service Model and Algorithms for the Gate Assignment Problem

Aiming at the problem of gate allocation of transit flights,a flight first service model is established.Under the constraints of maximizing the utilization rate of gates and minimizing the transit time,the idea of“first flight serving first”is used to allocate the first time,and then the hybrid algorithm of artificial fish swarm and simulated annealing is used to find the optimal solution.That means the fish swarm algorithm with the swallowing behavior is employed to find the optimal solution quickly,and the simulated annealing algorithm is used to obtain a global optimal allocation scheme for the optimal local region.The experimental data show that the maximum utilization of the gate is 27.81%higher than that of the“first come first serve”method when the apron is not limited,and the hybrid algorithm has fewer iterations than the simulated annealing algorithm alone,with the overall passenger transfer tension reducing by 1.615;the hybrid algorithm has faster convergence and better performance than the artificial fish swarm algorithm alone.The experimental results indicate that the hybrid algorithm of fish swarm and simulated annealing can achieve higher utilization rate of gates and lower passenger transfer tension under the idea of“first flight serving first”.

Dynamic flight stability of hovering model insects:theory versus simulation using equations of motion coupled with Navier-Stokes equations

In the present paper, the longitudinal dynamic flight stability properties of two model insects are predicted by an approximate theory and computed by numerical sim- ulation. The theory is based on the averaged model （which assumes that the frequency of wingbeat is sufficiently higher than that of the body motion, so that the flapping wings＇ degrees of freedom relative to the body can be dropped and the wings can be replaced by wingbeat-cycle-average forces and moments）; the simulation solves the complete equations of motion coupled with the Navier-Stokes equations. Comparison between the theory and the simulation provides a test to the validity of the assumptions in the theory. One of the insects is a model dronefly which has relatively high wingbeat frequency （164 Hz） and the other is a model hawkmoth which has relatively low wingbeat frequency （26 Hz）. The results show that the averaged model is valid for the hawkmoth as well as for the dronefly. Since the wingbeat frequency of the hawkmoth is relatively low （the characteristic times of the natural modes of motion of the body divided by wingbeat period are relatively large） compared with many other insects, that the theory based on the averaged model is valid for the hawkmoth means that it could be valid for many insects.

Unsteady aerodynamics modeling for flight dynamics application

In view of engineering application, it is practicable to decompose the aerodynamics into three components： the static aerodynamics, the aerodynamic increment due to steady rotations, and the aerodynamic increment due to unsteady separated and vortical flow. The first and the second components can be presented in conventional forms, while the third is described using a one-order differential equation and a radial-basis-function （RBF） network. For an aircraft configuration, the mathematical models of 6- component aerodynamic coefficients are set up from the wind tunnel test data of pitch, yaw, roll, and coupled yawroll large-amplitude oscillations. The flight dynamics of an aircraft is studied by the bifurcation analysis technique in the case of quasi-steady aerodynamics and unsteady aerodynam- ics, respectively. The results show that： （1） unsteady aerodynamics has no effect upon the existence of trim points, but affects their stability; （2） unsteady aerodynamics has great effects upon the existence, stability, and amplitudes of periodic solutions; and （3） unsteady aerodynamics changes the stable regions of trim points obviously. Furthermore, the dynamic responses of the aircraft to elevator deflections are inspected. It is shown that the unsteady aerodynamics is beneficial to dynamic stability for the present aircraft. Finally, the effects of unsteady aerodynamics on the post-stall maneuverability

Lateral dynamic flight stability of hovering insects: theory vs. numerical simulation

In the present paper, the lateral dynamic flight stability properties of two hovering model insects are predicted by an approximate theory based on the averaged model, and computed by numerical simulation that solves the complete equations of motion coupled with the Naviertokes equations. Comparison between the theoretical and simulational results provides a test to the validity of the assumptions made in the theory. One of the insects is a model dronefly which has relatively high wingbeat frequency （164Hz） and the other is a model hawkmoth which has relatively low wingbeat frequency （26 Hz）. The following conclusion has been drawn. The theory based on the averaged model works well for the lateral motion of the dronefly. For the hawkmoth, relatively large quantitative differences exist between theory and simulation. This is because the lateral non-dimensional eigenvalues of the hawkmoth are not very small compared with the non-dimensional flapping frequency （the largest lateral non-dimensional eigenvalue is only about 10% smaller than the non-dimensional flapping frequency）. Nevertheless, the theory can still correctly predict variational trends of the dynamic properties of the hawkmoth＇s lateral motion.

Flight mission modeling based on BDI Petri net

Goals reasoning and management of pilot is a key issue to monitor pilot's behavior and intention. Traditional modeling methods are based on scenarios or situations, such methods will cause the,covering problem due to redundancy and are incapable of depicting interactions among various goals and plans of pilot. Petri net integrated with belief, desire and intention (BDI) theory (BDI Petri net) is designed to solve this problem. Focusing on the BDI theory, goal states of agent are discussed firstly. Belief, desire and intention are modeled by places and transitions based on the Petri net theory. In order to simplify the network, colored token is introduced to depict various states of belief, and the hierarchy transition is applied to model the intention, together with tokens' flow derrionstrating the interaction among various goals and relationship among belief, desire and intention. A search and rescue mission is used to validate the proposed method and the result indicates that the model can be used to monitor goals and behaviors of pilots.

PATH FOLLOWING GPS-BASED CONTROL OF SMALL-SIZE ROBOTIC UNMANNED BLIMP

Robotic unmanned blimps own an enormous potential for applications in low-speed and low-altitude exploration, surveillance, and monitoring, as well as telecommunication relay platforms. To make lighter-than-air platform a robotic blimp with significant levels of autonomy, the decoupled longitude and latitude dynamic model is developed, and the hardware and software of the flight control system are designed and detailed. Flight control and navigation strategy and algorithms for waypoint flight problem are discussed. A result of flight experiment is also presented, which validates that the flight control system is applicable and initial machine intelligence of robotic blimp is achieved.

New model reference adaptive control with input constraints

A new scheme of adaptive control is proposed for a class of linear time-invariant（ LTI） dynamical systems,especially in aerospace,with matched parametric uncertainties and input constraints. Based on a typical and conventional direct model reference adaptive control scheme,various modifications have been employed to achieve the goal. ＂C omposite model reference adaptive control＂of higher performance is seam-lessly combined with ＂positive μ-mod＂,which consequently results in a smooth tracking trajectory despite of the input constraints. In addition,bounded-gain forgetting is utilized to facilitate faster convergence of parameter estimates. The stability of the closed-loop systemcan be guaranteed by using Lyapunov theory.The merits and effectiveness of the proposed method are illustrated by a numerical example of the longitudinal dynamical systems of a fixed-wing airplane.

Rotor cross-tilt optimization for yaw control improvement of multi-rotor eVTOL aircraft

Manned multi-rotor electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing(eVTOL)aircraft is prone to actuator saturation due to its weak yaw control efficiency.To address this inherent problem,a rotor cross-tilt configuration is applied in this paper,with an optimization method proposed to improve the overall control efficiency of the vehicle.First,a flight dynamics model of a 500-kg manned multi-rotor eVTOL aircraft is established.The accuracy of the co-axial rotor model is verified using a single arm test bench,and the accuracy of the flight dynamics model is verified by the flight test data.Then,an optimization method is designed based on the flight dynamics model to calculate an optimal rotor cross-tilt mounting angle,which not only improves the yaw control efficiency,but also basically maintains the efficiency of other control channels.The ideal rotor cross-tilt mounting angle for the prototype is determined by comprehensively considering the optimal results with different payloads,forward flight speeds,and rotor mounting angle errors.Finally,the feasibility of the rotor cross-tilt mounting angle is proved by analyzing the control derivatives of the flight dynamics model,the test data of a ground three Degree-of-Freedom(3DOF)platform,and the actual flight data of the prototype.The results show that a fixed rotor cross-tilt mounting angle can achieve ideal yaw control effectiveness,improving yaw angle tracking and hold ability,increasing endurance time,and achieving good yaw control performance with different payloads and forward speeds.

Identification method for helicopter flight dynamics modeling with rotor degrees of freedom

A comprehensive method based on system identification theory for helicopter flight dynamics modeling with rotor degrees of freedom is developed. A fully parameterized rotor flapping equation for identification purpose is derived without using any theoretical model, so the confidence of the identified model is increased, and then the 6 degrees of freedom rigid body model is extended to 9 degrees of freedom high-order model. Bode sensitivity function is derived to increase the accuracy of frequency spectra calculation which influences the accuracy of model parameter identification. Then a frequency domain identification algorithm is established. Acceleration technique is developed furthermore to increase calculation efficiency, and the total identification time is reduced by more than 50% using this technique. A comprehensive two-step method is established for helicopter high-order flight dynamics model identification which increases the numerical stability of model identification compared with single step algorithm. Application of the developed method to identify the flight dynamics model of BO 105 helicopter based on flight test data is implemented. A comparative study between the high-order model and rigid body model is performed at last. The results show that the developed method can be used for helicopter high-order flight dynamics model identification with high accuracy as well as efficiency, and the advantage of identified high-order model is very obvious compared with low-order model.

Dynamics modeling and control of large transport aircraft in heavy cargo extraction

In this paper,a novel version of six-degree-of-freedom nonlinear model for transport aircraft motion in cargo extraction is developed and validated by the theoretical mechanics and flight mechanics.In this model constraint force and moment reflecting the flight dynamic effects of inner moving cargo are formulated.A methodology for a control law design in this phase is presented,which linearizes the aircraft dynamics making use of piecewise linearization and utilizes robust control technique for interval system to achieve specified handling qualities with robustness to uncertainties.The simulations demonstrate adequate effectiveness and excellent robustness of the proposed controller.

Longitudinal Control for Balloon-Borne Launched Solar Powered UAVs in Near-Space

Aiming to improve the pull-up control performance in the process of releasing balloonborne solar powered UAVs(Unmanned Aerial Vehicles),this paper establishes the full flight mechanics equations with flexible modes,and proposes the control method suitable for engineering application.To be specific,the authors first calculate the real aerodynamic force on horizontal stabilizer by comparing the fuselage deformation in ballooning test with that in static loading test.Furthermore,considering fuselage elastic deformation,the pitching moment coefficient is obtained and the influence of airspeed and elevator angle on pitching moment coefficient and control surface efficiency are analysed.Second,the authors establish a complete flight mechanics model,including elastic structural dynamic model and rigid flight dynamic model,by comprehensively considering the aerodynamic data,the relationship between fuselage deformation and load,as well as the ballooning test.Third,the authors perform the numerical simulation and comparison study on control performance between rigid model and flexible model.Moreover,the authors implement model modification based on the low altitude flight test and steady-state point analysing.Finally,a scaled UAV is used to complete the balloon-borne launching test.The results show that the longitudinal control method can analyse the longitudinal aerodynamics and control characteristics accurately,and could be effectively utilized in the pull-up control of the balloon-borne solar powered UAV.