• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1998.11b
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• pp.457-459
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• 1998

This paper presents a 3-DOF hovering flight controller for a model helicopter using the minimal order LQG/LTR technique. A model helicopter is an unstable multi-input multi-output nonlinear system strongly exposed to disturbances, so a robust multi-variable control theory should be applied to control it. The minimal order LQG/LTR technique which uses a reduced-order observer in the LTR procedure is used to design the controller. Performances for the 3-DOF hovering flight controller are evaluated through computer simulations.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1399-1411
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• 1994

A model helicopter has more versatile flight capability than the fixed-wing aircraft and it can be used as an unmaned vehicle in hazardous area. A helicopter, similar to other aircrafts, is an unstable, multi-input multi-output nonlinear system exposed to strong disturbance. So it should be controlled by robust control theories that can be applied to multivariable systems. In this study, motion equations of hovering are established, linearized and transformed into a state equation form. Various parameters are measured and calculated in other to obtain the stability derivatives in the state equation. Hovering flight controller is designed using the digital LQG/LTR(Linear Quadratic Gaussian/Loop Transfer Recovery) control theory. The designed controller is tested by the nonlinear simulations and implemented on an IBM-PC/386. Experiments were carried out on a model helicopter attached to the 3-DOF gimbal. The designed controller showed satisfactory hovering capability to maintain the hovering for more than 40 seconds.