Future aircraft engine control systems are envisioned to be based on a distributed architecture, in which, the sensors and actuators will be connected to the controller through an engine area network. Distributed engine control architecture enables the use of advanced control techniques along with achieving weight reduction, improvement in performance and lower life cycle cost. Distributed Engine Control Working Group (DECWG), a consortium of government, industry, and academia was established to investigate the issues and develop the technology required for distributed engine control implementation.
Prof. R. K. Yedavalli was involved with distributed engine
control research since 2008 through STTR/SBIR Phase I projects
and industry sponsored research. In Summer 2011, OSU signed an
Education Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the Air Force Research
Laboratory (AFRL) and received the Turbine Engine Dynamic
Simulator (TEDS). TEDS is a virtual test cell composed of 2
dSPACE-based hardware simulators and a specialized analog and
digital I/O module for interconnection between simulators.
Distributed Engine Control and Simulation Laboratory (DECS Lab)
was established in Fall 2011 to further investigate several
issues in implementing DEC and to improve the Technology
Readiness Level (TRL) of distributed engine control system
components. The HIL simulator will be used to further promote the
partnership between industry and academia. DECS Lab will
encourage undergraduate and graduate students to work together
with mentors from AFRL and industry. THE HIL simulator will be
also used to demonstrate engine control system to undergraduate
students.