Safety boundary protection control for distributed propulsion vehicle operating in plateau environment
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: In plateau environment, aircraft encounter significant challenges stemming from low air density, strong and turbulent winds, insufficient lift and stability, as well as a tendency toward lateral-longitudinal coupling instability. To mitigate these issues, distributed propulsion technology is introduced to improve both aerodynamic and handling performance. This is combined with a boundary protection control strategy designed to enhance flight safety under complex wind conditions. First, dynamic wind tunnel tests are carried out to examine the longitudinal and lateral aerodynamic characteristics of a distributed propulsion vehicle, leading to the development of aerodynamic and dynamic models. A flight control law is then devised, in which control parameters are adaptively tuned based on the real-time flight state, and the time-domain characteristics of the resulting closed-loop system are analyzed. By systematically evaluating the flight dynamics across a wide range of initial conditions, a dynamic safety boundary is established. On this basis, a boundary protection control scheme is developed using a deep neural network. Finally, altitude flight tests are performed within the prescribed dynamic boundary, and the results validate the effectiveness of the proposed boundary protection control method.
Source: Scientific Reports
Authors: Zehong Dong, Xingya Da, Botao Zhang, Longkai Guo
Institution: China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center
Language: English
Subfield: Aerospace Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
OpenAlex ID: W7140774246