Design of Capture and Track Modes for a Lateral Autopilot using Synthesis

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a design exercise in which the most recent developments in H-infinity synthesis theory were applied to the problem of designing a lateral autopilot for a typical transport air- plane. The bulk of the engineering effort in applying these results was in the formulation of an appropriate synthesis model. We pre- sent some of the important aspects of this process. The linear controller design was done using H-infinity synthesis theory. The linear design was suitably modified to satisfy some of the performance constraints. Results of linear analysis and simulation of the final nonlinear controllers are presented.