Improved Turbine Engine Performance, Responsiveness, and Prognostics Using Model-Based Control in a Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation

This paper presents a Hardware in the loop (HIL) simulation of a microcontroller using non-linear control implemented in PFC (Power Factor Correction) boost, buck and SEPIC converters. This is a non-conventional approach, where libraries are used to directly interface with the Texas's DSP 2812. Initially, the block diagrams that contain the control equations are constructed. Then, the codes are generated automatically. The advantages provided by the proposed method are: security, economy of development cycle time, easy understanding of the control process and programming, standardization and concurrent simulation. Three nonlinear control techniques - state feedback linearization (SFL), passivity based control (PBC) and interconnection and damping assignment passivity-based control (IDA-PBC) has been validated experimentally using HIL simulation for boost, buck and SEPIC converters.

Since a bi-modal tram has an extended wheel base and an articulated chassis, an all-wheel steering system (AWS) is applied to it to satisfy the required steering performance. An AWS electronic control unit (ECU) controls the hydraulic actuator according to the vehicle driving environment, such as the driver steering angle, articulating angle, and vehicle velocity. In this paper, the test platform developed for the AWS ECU test in a hardware in the loop (HIL) environment is explained. Using the developed test platform, the control algorithm of the AWS ECU can be evaluated under the virtual driving condition of the bi-modal tram. Also, vehicle manoeuvrability is investigated using this test platform. The AWS system, including ECU hydraulic system and embedded software, can be verified by the hardware in the loop simulation (HILS) test results.

Autonomous Underwater Glider (AUG) as a high durability underwater vehicle is typically capable of extremely long missions in the ocean by tracking the desired waypoints using guidance system. Typical AUG's guidance system development requires many costly at-sea trials to evaluate the guidance ability. Simulation provides a cost-effective measure to carry out preliminary component and system testing, thereby reducing the number of potential failures in at-sea trials. This paper presents the Hardware in the Loop (HIL) simulation development of the guidance system for a class of AUG. Guidance through waypoints using Line of Sight (LOS) method guides the AUG to desired waypoints by adjusting the yaw angle. The LOS algorithm was implemented as executable code in BeagleBone Black board. HIL simulation can be simulated using the hardware component (BeagleBone Black) along with AUG's models which were built in MATLAB/SIMULINK. It provides the verification step of the AUG's guidance system before the real deployment in the ocean. The HIL simulation showed that LOS method was able to guide the AUG to desired waypoints despite simulated using some different waypoint schemes and under the effect of ocean currents as a disturbance.

In this paper a Power Hardware in the loop simulation has been realized to test in a safely way the performances and reliability of a device called “PowerCorner” used to supply an islanded microgrid. A real-time model has been developed in order to simulate the microgrid, batteries and photovoltaic panels. Some modeling criterions have been proposed to reduce time-step simulation and enhancing the Power Hardware in the loop simulation stability. Power Hardware in the loop simulation is used to emulate the AC and DC environments around the power inverters. On the DC side, DC power amplifier is used to emulate photovoltaic power plants and storage devices made on Lithium batteries. On the AC side, AC power amplifier is used to emulate the behavior of the microgrid. These two power amplifiers are controlled by a digital real time simulator which embeds the dynamic behavior of both DC and AC sides.

Hardware-in-the-loop simulation for estimation of position control performance of machine tool feed drive

In this paper the operation and control of battery-less hybrid systems for off-grid power supply is investigated. The load demand of the system is covered by a diesel-driven generator (DDG) and photovoltaic (PV) arrays. First, an overview of the features and operation of such systems is provided. Primary control of the system is investigated where the PV inverter curtails its active power in order to respect the minimum load ratio of the DDG and contribute to frequency control. Secondary control of the system is applied using the Hardware in the Loop (HIL) technique, where parts of the real-time simulation are replaced with actual physical components. Hardware controllable loads are activated by a hardware controller in order to respect the minimum load ratio of the DDG. An alternative method is applied where instead of controllable loads a hardware PV inverter curtails its active power production. The HIL simulation results show that both methods are effective to reduce the frequency deviation of the system and maintain the power output of the DDG above the predefined minimum requirement. The tests were performed with a combination of Controller HIL and Power HIL simulation leading to more realistic testing than Controller HIL simulation or pure digital simulation.

Hardware in the Loop Simulation(HILS) plays an increasingly important role in the development and test system of missile. This paper describes the structure and function of a typical HILS Platform for missile testing. The platform has a double computers structure, which consists of the control computer and the simulation computer. The paper analyses the hardware and software requirements and gives the simulation workflow chart. Accuracy of the timer is one of the key techniques in the hardware in the loop simulation. Because of the poor real-time performance of Windows system, RTX HAL extension Subsystem is introduced to meet the real-time requirement of the system. This paper also studies the realization of accurate clock in the RTX, introduces the general process of driver development. The results of simulation experiments indicate that the platform has good real-time performance and runs stably and reliably. The flight data do not miss or mismatch in the whole simulation process. The platform fully satisfies the real-time requirements of hardware in the loop simulation for missile guidance and control system.

A vehicle suspension system usually consists of a spring and a damper. These springdamper assemblies in practice have nonlinear features that are difficult to model mathematically. Due to the complexity of modelling these components the application of the Hardware in the Loop simulation (HIL) is recommended. In Hardware in the Loop simulation, one part of the system is computationally simulated (software), and another part, which has the complex characteristics of being modeled, is physically incorporated into the system (hardware). Thus, this dissertation describes the application of the Hardware in the Loop simulation to analyze the dynamic behavior of a vehicle where the two rear suspension are the physical components of the system and all the other parts of the vehicle are simulated.

As more and more energy storage systems are applied to support the safe operation of the power grid, it becomes more important to conduct grid connection tests. According to the latest national standards, the grid connection test scheme is studied on the basis of RT-LAB hardware in the loop simulation. Firstly, the structure of the Energy storage system(ESS) based on the energy storage inverter is analyzed, and the strategy of conduct and mathematical model of the energy storage system are introduced; Secondly, based on RT-LAB , conducted with FPGA, hardware in the loop simulation test platform is built to improve the calculation method in the simulation, improve the accuracy and speed of the simulation; Finally, on the basis of the above, the grid connection performance test scheme is introduced, the test method performance is described in detail on the condition of fault ride through of the energy storage system, and the results are analyzed in depth. The results shows that using RT-LAB hardware in the loop simulation can accurately simulate the grid connection test of the energy storage system and provide a reference for the test plan.

This work describes the practical implementation of two maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms, namely those of perturb and observe, and extremum seeking control. The proprietary dSPACE system is used to perform hardware in the loop (HIL) simulation whereby the two control algorithms are implemented using the MATLAB/Simulink (Mathworks, Natick, MA) software environment in order to control a synchronous buck–boost converter connected to two commercial thermoelectric modules. The process of performing HIL simulation using dSPACE is discussed, and a comparison between experimental and simulated results is highlighted. The experimental results demonstrate the validity of the two MPPT algorithms, and in conclusion the benefits and limitations of real-time implementation of MPPT controllers using dSPACE are discussed.

Nowadays due to the technology development and use of digital computers in various systems, need for development of high performance and robust software is attracting great attentions. Because of increasing complexity in algorithms and implementation hardware for embedded systems, proper simulation tools are required. In sophisticated systems design, hardware in the loop (HIL) simulation is known as a prominent simulation tool before realistic tests of the system and a step after software simulation. Simultaneously it can be used for verification and validation of automation and control software. HIL has had an historical background in aerospace industries. Recently, this tool has spread in different steps of system life cycle such as design, development, implementation and test of various applications including automobile industry, shipbuilding, power lines, robotic systems and etc. Utilizing a suitable hardware in the loop laboratory, in system design stages is a practical way to increase the system reliability and efficiency as well as value of product. Also, by proper investigation in this modelling and simulation method, many errors can be avoided in design procedure of software and hardware as well as their interconnections. In this study, structure and components of an hardware in the loop laboratory for different systems are explored, also it is tried to more evaluate the applications of HIL simulations in dynamics and control engineering. At last, general structure of an hardware in the loop lab for diverse industries is proposed and discussed.

Hardware in the loop (HIL) simulation, especially power HIL (PHIL) simulation, is a promising tool for motor drive design and prototyping. It inherits both the flexibility of simulation and the authenticity of hardware itself, which therefore allow an actual motor drive design to be thoroughly scrutinized under almost any conceivable condition. In this paper, a unique 5 MW PHIL simulation facility which is in its last stage of commissioning in the Center for Advanced Power Systems (CAPS) is introduced. An illustrative PHIL simulation example based on a similar but downscaled 50 kW test bed is performed. Interesting results very well demonstrates how a PHIL simulation on a motor drive system can expose the hidden problems that are difficult to be identified by other testing methods.

Proportional, Integral, Dervative (PID) controller is a simple and very reliable controller, but to determine the optimal control system parameters on the PID controller (Kp, Ki, and Kd) is not easy. This paper aims to determine the optimal parameters of the PID controller using Modified Quantum Behave Particle Swarm Optimization (MQPSO) to regulate the speed control of a DC motor. MQPSO is a method that has particle search behavior that is more detailed than its predecessor methods, namely Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Quantum-Behaved Particle Swarm Optimization (QPSO). The test is done through Software In the Loop Simulation (SILS) by representing a DC motor in the transfer function, after the optimal control parameters are obtained then applied to the Hardware In the Loop Simulation (HILS) test using the actual DC motor. The test results show that the PID controller that has been optimized using MQPSO results in achieving DC motor response under steady conditions and is faster than the PID controller that is optimized using Ziegler-Nichols (ZN), PSO and QPSO. The completion time obtained by MQPSO is 41.0201 ms, which is also faster than using QPSO 42.8276 ms, PSO 43.7008 ms and ZN 61.8571ms.

항공기 비행제어시스템의 개발기간, 비용 및 위험도를 최소화시키기 위해서는 비행제어 법칙의 적용 및 시험을 효율적으로 수행할 수 있는 통합개발 도구와 Rapid Prototyping 프로세스가 요구된다. 본 논문에서는 Matlab/Simulink 환경을 통해 생성한 제어법칙 자동코드와 비행동역학 해석프로그램(HETLAS: HElicopter Trim, Linearization and Simulation)과의 연동 절차를 개발하여 시뮬레이션 평가를 효율적으로 수행할 수 있는 환경의 구축에 대해 기술하였다. 또한, 본 연구를 통해 제어법칙의 다양한 모드의 조종사 시뮬레이션 평가를 위해 HETLAS를 이용한 데스크탑 시뮬레이션 환경을 개발하고 조종성 시뮬레이터 및 HILS(Hardware In the Loop Simulation) 시험 환경과 효율적으로 연동하여 시험할 수 있는 절차를 개발하였다. 비행제어법칙 개발과정에서 HETLAS를 중심으로 한 해석/시험 환경을 개발함으로써 반복적인 제어법칙의 설계/해석 및 시험 절차를 효율적으로 수행할 수 있도록 하였다. The rapid prototyping process and development tool which enable the control law evaluation efficiently are needed to minimize the development cycle, cost and risk of aircraft flight control system. This paper describes a development process that integrates the designed control law into HETLAS to evaluate simulation effectively using nonlinear mathematical models. The desktop engineering simulator was developed using HETLAS for the piloted simulation evaluation of a various control modes and the procedure was developed, which quickly integrates the HETLAS into HQS(Handling Quality Simulator) and HILS(Hardware In the Loop Simulation) environments. This paper presents a rapid prototyping process using HETLAS that significantly shortens the integration process of the control law into the nonlinear math model, HETLAS, and allows the control law designs to be quickly tested in the piloted simulation and HILS environments.

Rocket flight tests invariably serve a purpose, one of which involves area monitoring or aerial photography. Consequently, the rocket necessitates the installation of a camera that remains consistently oriented toward the Earth's surface throughout its trajectory. Thus, ensuring the rocket's stability and preventing any rotation becomes imperative. To achieve this, the Onboard Attitude Determination Control System (OADCS) was researched and developed, fully controlled by NI myRIO with Labview as the programming language, ensures the rocket's attitude control and maintains a rolling angle of 0 degrees during flight. The MyRIO oversees the retrieval of attitude and position data from the X-Plane flight simulator, offering feedback through actuator control. The development of the OADCS proceeded incrementally through stages utilizing the Software in the Loop Simulation (SILS) and Hardware in the Loop Simulation (HILS) techniques, to ensure the verification of the system's functionality before its application to the rocket for real flight testing. In the OADCS control scheme, Model Predictive Control (MPC) is chosen, and it is compared with a PID controller to serve as a benchmark for processing speed. Because the rocket's flight time is short and its speeds of up to Mach 4. The simulation results indicate that MPC can halt the rocket's rotation 12 times more rapidly than PID control. Additionally, the MPC's ability to maintain a zero-degree rotation can persist throughout the rocket's flight time. Employing SILS and HILS enhances the OADCS rocket development process by incorporating MPC, which holds promise for application in real rockets.