LONGITUDINAL

AUTOPILOT
MODULE-4
VI- SEM
Department of Aerospace Engineering
 • The basic components of a pitch attitude control system are shown in Fig 1.
• The system is composed of vertical gyro, amplifier, elevator servo and the
block of the aircraft dynamics.
• In this the reference pitch angle is compared with the actual angle measured by
AUTOPILO a gyro to produce an error signal, this signal is amplified and sent to activate
the elevator servo which causes the deflection of the control surface (the
rudder in this case).
T SYSTEM • The movement of this part forces the aircraft to achieve a new pitch
orientation, which is fed back to close the loop.
MODELIN
G AND
DESIGN
 • The Simplest form of autopilot, 1st appeared and still being used
• This autopilot was designed to hold the aircraft in straight and level flight
with little or no maneuvering .
• The elevator servo can be electromechanical or hydraulic with an
electrically operated valve.
• Elevator servo can be represented by a gain multiplied by first order lag.

Displacement • Time constant varies from 0.1 to 0.03 sec.

Autopilot:
Displacement Autopilot:

• The transfer function used to

represent the aircraft can be the
complete 3 DOF longitudinal
transfer function or the transfer
function of the short period
approximation.
• The system is type 0, i.e. there will
be steady state error.
• The autopilot will be examined for
two aircrafts.
• The Conventional Transport
aircraft and Jet Transport aircraft.
Root Locus for conventional
transport and autopilot
• Information:
• Open loop poles: 0 , -12.5 , -1.4 ± j 1.1314
• Open loop zeros: -3.1
• Asymptote: center -4.067 ,
• angle 60,-60, 180
• Breakaway (Breaking): No Intersection with Image.
• Axis: 2.742
• Best ζ = 0.77
• Gain for critical stability = 74.5
• For gain =12 poles -1.02, -12.55, -0.867 ± j 1.1 ζ = 0.62
• Gain margin = 6.2
Root Locus for
jet transport
and autopilot
• Information:
• Open loop poles: 0 , -10 , -0.4025 ± j
1.784
• Open loop zeros: -0.306
• Asymptote: center -3.5 , angle 60, -60, 180
• Breakaway (Breaking): No Intersection
with Image.
• Axis: 2.584 Best ζ = 0.22
• Gain for critical stability = 42.36
• For gain =12 poles -0.18, -10.17, -0.23 + ±
j 1.66 ζ = 0.13
• Gain margin = 3.53
Pitch orientation control system

• A pitch orientation control system

typically refers to a system used in
various engineering applications to
control the pitch orientation (tilt) of an
object, such as an aircraft, spacecraft,
or wind turbine blade.
• The pitch orientation control system
plays a crucial role in stabilizing and
maneuvering these objects.
How such a system might work

1. Sensors: The system usually incorporates sensors to measure the current

pitch orientation of the object. These sensors could include gyroscopes,
accelerometers, or other types of inertial measurement units (IMUs).
They provide real-time data on the object's orientation.
2. Control Algorithms: Based on the sensor data, control algorithms
calculate the necessary adjustments required to achieve the desired
pitch orientation. These algorithms could be simple proportional-
integral-derivative (PID) controllers or more complex algorithms
depending on the specific application and performance requirements.
3. Actuators: The control system then sends commands to actuators, such
as servo motors or hydraulic actuators, to adjust the pitch orientation of
the object. These actuators physically manipulate the object to achieve
the desired orientation.
4. Feedback Loop: The system often operates in a closed-loop feedback
configuration, continuously monitoring the actual pitch orientation and
making adjustments as necessary to maintain or change the desired
orientation.
Applications of pitch orientation control systems include:

• Aircraft: In aviation, pitch control systems are

used to control the orientation of the aircraft
around its lateral axis. This is crucial for
maintaining stability during flight and for
performing maneuvers.
• Spacecraft: Spacecraft often use pitch control
systems for orientation adjustments during
various mission phases, such as attitude
control during orbit or trajectory adjustments.
• Wind Turbines: In wind energy generation,
pitch control systems are used in wind turbine
blades to optimize their angle of attack
relative to the wind, maximizing energy
capture while ensuring safe operation.
Pitch
displacement
Auto pilot
Block Diagram for Pitch orientation control
system

1. Sensors: The system begins with sensors that measure the current pitch
orientation of the object. These sensors could include gyroscopes,
accelerometers, or other types of inertial measurement units (IMUs). The
sensor data is sent to the controller.
2. Controller: The controller receives input from the sensors and compares the
actual pitch orientation to the desired orientation setpoint. Based on this error
signal, the controller calculates the necessary adjustments required to achieve
the desired orientation. This could involve simple proportional-integral-
derivative (PID) control algorithms or more complex control strategies,
depending on the application.
3. Actuators: The controller sends control signals to actuators, such as servo
motors or hydraulic actuators, which physically manipulate the object to adjust
its pitch orientation. The actuators may be directly connected to the object
(e.g., aircraft control surfaces or wind turbine blade pitch mechanisms) or may
control other systems that indirectly influence the object's orientation.
4. Feedback Loop: The system operates in a closed-loop feedback
configuration, continuously monitoring the actual pitch orientation and
comparing it to the desired orientation. Any deviation between the actual and
desired orientations generates an error signal, which the controller uses to
adjust the actuator outputs and bring the object back to the desired orientation.
5. Power Supply: The system also includes a power supply to provide electrical
power to the sensors, controller, and actuators.
Working of Pitch Orientation control system control

• The sensors measure the current pitch orientation of the object and
send this data to the controller.
• The controller compares the actual orientation to the desired
orientation setpoint and calculates the error signal.
• Based on the error signal, the controller determines the necessary
adjustments to the actuators.
• The actuators then physically adjust the object's pitch orientation.
• The process continues in a closed-loop feedback configuration, with the
controller continuously adjusting the actuators based on the feedback
from the sensors until the object reaches the desired pitch orientation.
 Acceleration control system
• An acceleration control system is a system most important
• This type of system is commonly found in automotive vehicles,
aerospace vehicles, industrial machinery, and robotics, among other
fields.
• Acceleration control is one of the most essential autopilots in fighter
aircraft.
• It helps to limit the acceleration of the aircraft during maneuvering.
Maximum acceleration during the maneuver may damage the structure
of the aircraft as well as damage the pilot.
 Block Diagram for Acceleration control
system
• Input Signal: The system begins with an input signal that specifies the desired acceleration
profile for the object. This input signal could come from a human operator, an automated control
algorithm, or a pre-programmed trajectory.
• Controller: The input signal is processed by a controller, which determines the control actions
required to achieve the desired acceleration profile. The controller may use various control
algorithms, such as proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control, model predictive control, or
fuzzy logic control, depending on the specific application requirements.
• Actuators: The controller sends control signals to actuators, which are devices capable of
exerting force or torque to control the acceleration of the object. Examples of actuators include
electric motors, hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, and electromagnetic actuators. These
actuators physically manipulate the object to achieve the desired acceleration profile.
• Feedback Loop: The system operates in a closed-loop feedback configuration to ensure accurate
control of acceleration. Sensors measure the actual acceleration of the object and provide
feedback to the controller. The controller continuously compares the actual acceleration to the
desired acceleration profile and adjusts the control signals sent to the actuators accordingly.
• Power Supply: The system includes a power supply to provide electrical or hydraulic power to
the controller and actuators.
 Working of Acceleration control system-A/c
• The input signal specifies the desired acceleration profile for the object.
• The controller processes the input signal and determines the control
actions required to achieve the desired acceleration profile.
• The controller sends control signals to the actuators, which physically
manipulate the object to control its acceleration.
• Sensors measure the actual acceleration of the object and provide
feedback to the controller.
• The controller continuously compares the actual acceleration to the
desired acceleration profile and adjusts the control signals sent to the
actuators to minimize any discrepancies.
Glide slope coupler-
Longitudinal autopilot

• A glide slope coupler, also known as a

glide slope receiver or
localizer/glideslope coupler, is a
component used in aircraft instrument
landing systems (ILS) to assist in the
precise guidance of aircraft during
approach and landing in adverse
weather conditions or low visibility.
Block Diagram
of Glide slope
coupler-Aircraft
Working function-Glide slope coupler

•ILS Overview: The Instrument Landing System (ILS) is a ground-based navigation aid that provides
horizontal and vertical guidance to an aircraft during the approach and landing phases of flight. It consists
of two primary components: the localizer and the glide slope.
•Localizer: The localizer provides lateral guidance, ensuring the aircraft remains aligned with the
centerline of the runway. It emits a radio signal that the aircraft's receiver uses to determine its position
relative to the desired approach path.
•Glide Slope: The glide slope provides vertical guidance, ensuring the aircraft descends along a
predetermined descent path to the runway touchdown zone. It emits a radio signal that the aircraft's
receiver uses to determine its vertical position relative to the desired glide path.
•Glide Slope Coupler: The glide slope coupler is a component within the aircraft's avionics system that
receives the glide slope signal from the ILS ground station and provides guidance information to the flight
crew. It is typically integrated with the aircraft's autopilot system or flight director to automatically control
the aircraft's pitch attitude to follow the glide slope.
•Pitch Control: When engaged, the glide slope
coupler adjusts the aircraft's pitch attitude to
maintain alignment with the glide slope signal. If
the aircraft is above the glide path, the coupler
commands a slight descent to intercept the glide
slope. Conversely, if the aircraft is below the glide
path, the coupler commands a slight climb to
intercept the glide slope.
•Autopilot Integration: In many modern aircraft,
the glide slope coupler is integrated with the
autopilot system, allowing for fully automated
approach and landing procedures. The autopilot
receives guidance commands from the glide slope
coupler and adjusts the aircraft's flight controls
accordingly to follow both the lateral and vertical
guidance signals provided by the ILS.