Model Based Control

[space_case]

Have any of you guys done this? CFD, flight data/system ID, wind tunnel, or some combination?

Have you tried this and found it impractical, or OTOH been met with success?

Have you found it best just to 'test and tune' your control gains rather than develop a physical model and analytically arrive at control laws?

[Unterhausen]

I expect to use one of the available models. I was going to get my flight control system set up to take data and fly it that way first.

[space_case]

I expect to use one of the available models. I was going to get my flight control system set up to take data and fly it that way first.

What 'available model' are talking about? Is it close enough to your airframe that you plan on designing your autopilot around it? Or are you planning n switching back and forth between pilot/autopilot and adjusting your gains?

[Unterhausen]

I was talking about the simulink models that are out there for a generic airframe. Then you would have to find the coefficients by flying around. I don't think that building an analytical model of my airframe from first principles is within my capabilities. In fact, i doubt anyone has ever done it, that's where wind tunnels came from.

However, now I found out that there is an autopilot software for my system, I probably am not going to do that much work.

[space_case]

I don't think that building an analytical model of my airframe from first principles is within my capabilities. In fact, i doubt anyone has ever done it, that's where wind tunnels came from.

Depending on the size of the aircraft and the fidelity of the model, you can get pretty close as a first pass. This is what I plan on doing.

However, now I found out that there is an autopilot software for my system, I probably am not going to do that much work.

It is probably in a post of yours I missed, but what is your system?

[Unterhausen]

It is probably in a post of yours I missed, but what is your system?
I am using a Crossbow MicroNav http://www.xbow.com/Products/productsdetails.aspx?sid=133

The software is here:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/micronav