Research on fuzzy logic control methods for Mars airplane

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the flight control law based on the fuzzy logic control methods for Mars airplane, and the research emphasis is placed on the attitude hold and the command track using the fuzzy control.

Design/methodology/approach

The aircraft model is established with the combination of atmospheric environment, aerodynamic force and propulsive action. Then, the dynamic characteristics are analyzed in response to the different flight points for Mars airplane. Afterward, the flight control law is designed by applying the fuzzy logic theory to realize the attitude hold and the command track for Mars airplane.

Findings

The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed control law based on the fuzzy logic control methods is effective to guarantee system stability and relieve coupling dynamics. In addition, this control system can provide strong robustness and good tracking performance for Mars airplane.

Practical implications

The current work offers a new approach for the control law design of Mars airplane. The presented fuzzy control system can be applied to the other unconventional airplanes which will fly under unknown and uncertain environment to implement the complicated tasks such as deep space exploration.

Originality/value

This paper provides the new methods for Mars airplane to design the fuzzy control system which consists of three implementation steps: the fuzzy quantization control step, the fuzzy decoupling control step and the fuzzy attitude control step. Through the progressive design, this presented control system of Mars airplane has strongly nonlinear and robust control ability due to the application of the fuzzy expert concepts.

Citation

Liu, Y., Yao, K. and Lu, Y. (2014), "Research on fuzzy logic control methods for Mars airplane", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 86 No. 5, pp. 415-422. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-11-2012-0210