Effect of Control System Augmentation on Handling Qualities and Task Performance in Good and Degraded Visual Environments.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Effect of Control System Augmentation on Handling Qualities and Task Performance in Good and Degraded Visual Environments.
Authors:	Theodore, Colin R.¹ colin.theodore@nasa.gov, Malpica, Carlos A.¹, Blanken, Christopher L.², Tischler, Mark B.², Berger, Tom², Lawrence, Ben³, Lindsey, James E.⁴
Source:	Journal of the American Helicopter Society. 2020, Vol. 65 Issue 4, p042007-1-042007-14. 14p.
Subjects:	Visual environment, Task performance, Emergency medical services, Vertical motion, Night vision, Lifting & carrying (Human mechanics), Task analysis
Abstract:	An experiment in the NASA-Ames Vertical Motion Simulator examined and quantified the effects of limited-authority control system augmentation on handling qualities and task performance in varying visual environments. The simulated vehicle was the OH-58D with similar characteristics to the Bell 407 civilian helicopter often used for emergency medical services. The control systems investigated were a baseline rate command system, a short-term attitude command/attitude hold system, a "modernized control laws" system that provides an attitude command/attitude hold control response type, and modernized control laws with a position hold function. Evaluation tasks included a number of ADS-33 mission task elements, as well as a proposed emergency medical services task consisting of an approach and landing at a minimally prepared landing site. Degraded visual environments were simulated with an unaided night scene and using night vision goggles. Results showed that handling qualities ratings were improved with a control system providing short-term attitude response over a rate command system, although the improvements were not sufficient to produce Level 1 handling qualities in degraded visual environments. Using modernized control laws showed that borderline Level 1 handling qualities could be achieved in degraded visual environments using a 10% authority stability augmentation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Engineering Source

Description
Abstract:	An experiment in the NASA-Ames Vertical Motion Simulator examined and quantified the effects of limited-authority control system augmentation on handling qualities and task performance in varying visual environments. The simulated vehicle was the OH-58D with similar characteristics to the Bell 407 civilian helicopter often used for emergency medical services. The control systems investigated were a baseline rate command system, a short-term attitude command/attitude hold system, a "modernized control laws" system that provides an attitude command/attitude hold control response type, and modernized control laws with a position hold function. Evaluation tasks included a number of ADS-33 mission task elements, as well as a proposed emergency medical services task consisting of an approach and landing at a minimally prepared landing site. Degraded visual environments were simulated with an unaided night scene and using night vision goggles. Results showed that handling qualities ratings were improved with a control system providing short-term attitude response over a rate command system, although the improvements were not sufficient to produce Level 1 handling qualities in degraded visual environments. Using modernized control laws showed that borderline Level 1 handling qualities could be achieved in degraded visual environments using a 10% authority stability augmentation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	00028711
DOI:	10.4050/JAHS.65.042007