Flight Simulator Motion Cueing With Groundspeed-Based Attitude Weighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flight simulators use washout filters that position the physical simulation platform to a neutral attitude, differing from the simulated aircraft, leading to adverse cueing and interfering with pilot training, especially for helicopter pilots during low groundspeed operations.
Innovation Solution
A motion cueing system that generates actuation commands for a movable cockpit platform using a weighting system based on groundspeed, balancing between outputs from a motion cueing filter and the aircraft's actual state, incorporating a linear ramp function and low-pass filter to accurately simulate aircraft attitude.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If washout filters are used to position the physical simulation platform to neutral attitude, then the platform can be returned to neutral after acceleration cues are provided, but the platform attitude differs from the simulated aircraft attitude causing adverse cueing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the weighting factor between washout filter output and aircraft state variable rather than fixed. The weighting factor dynamically adjusts based on flight conditions (particularly groundspeed), allowing the system to transition between washout-dominated mode at high speeds and state-dominated mode at low speeds, resolving the contradiction between returning to neutral and maintaining attitude accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of weighting factor from a static value to a variable that depends on groundspeed and other flight parameters. This parameter change allows the system to adaptively balance between the washout filter's ability to return the platform to neutral and the aircraft state's ability to maintain accurate attitude representation across different flight regimes
2Reliability
If conventional motion cueing filters are used, then motion cues can be provided to match human vestibular system characteristics, but the platform attitude differs from simulated aircraft attitude interfering with pilot training
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the balance between vestibular-matched cues and accurate attitude representation based on flight conditions. At low groundspeeds where accurate attitude is critical, the weighting factor shifts to prioritize aircraft state. At high speeds where washout filtering is more acceptable, the system returns to vestibular-matched cueing, thus resolving the contradiction dynamically
Solution Approach 2:
The weighting factor parameter is changed to be a function of groundspeed and flight regime, allowing the system to adaptively select between vestibular-matched cueing and accurate attitude representation based on operational requirements, eliminating the fixed trade-off present in conventional systems
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the platform is positioned to neutral attitude different from simulated aircraft, then washout filters can drive the motion system back to neutral, but this provides adverse cueing during low groundspeed operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the neutral positioning behavior based on groundspeed. At low groundspeeds, the weighting factor prioritizes accurate attitude representation over returning to neutral. At high groundspeeds, the system allows washout filters to return the platform to neutral, thus resolving the contradiction between duration of neutral positioning and attitude accuracy
Data Source
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AI summary
A motion cueing system for a flight simulator includes a motion system controller configured to generate actuation commands for a movable simulator platform. The actuation commands are based on at least one of: an absolute attitude of a simulated aircraft; or a weighted function of a groundspeed of the simulated aircraft.