Animation of Orientation for Simulated Flight Vehicle Using Simulink David Christhilf AE-684 Dr. Noor Old Dominion University Interim Report Oct. 26, 2004

Introduction The current work seeks to make use of some of the benefits of virtual reality for improving the value of simulation results generated in a controls-oriented workstation based flight simulation. Flight simulations predate digital computers. Displays range from oscilloscopes at one extreme to motion-based and in-flight simulation cockpits. There’s a role for desktop-oriented engineering simulation work stations for developmental work.

Aircraft Simulation for Flight Controls Conventional controls design involves location and sizing of control surfaces, and linkages to pilot inputs. Modeling vehicle baseline dynamics and response to controls using wind tunnel data and the physics of flight mechanics allows evaluation of “what if” scenarios. Modern controls systems use sensor feedback and computer processing to improve vehicle response to pilot inputs, increasing scope of “what if” scenarios.

Roles for Simulation Display Flight vehicle control can be categorized into different regimes. – Guidance is concerned with flight path control. – Changes in flight path are generally achieved using changes in vehicle attitude. – Control surfaces generally change vehicle attitude directly, in order to achieve flight path control indirectly. – Response of vehicle attitude to control input is of interest, and 3-D display of attitude is instructive.

Mechanization of Display Simulink has capability for 3-DoF and 6-DoF animation. Simulink places emphasis on flight path display. Need to show velocity vector also (for angle of attack, side slip) – Option 1: subtract location from data before display. – Option 2: use 3-D plotting capability during run-time. – Option 3: generate time history first, & use playback.