Efficient Model Predictive Control Algorithm for Aircraft

The use of state-space models has gained increased attention for their ability to easily and accurately control multivariable processes within an MPC framework. An analysis of the controller on a linear longitudinal aircraft model will be performed using a variety of controller configurations, assessing the effectiveness and controllability of the system using the proposed. By using this formulation of the matrix exponential, no approximations are needed, as a direct time-domain solution of the state transition matrix can be obtained. The omission of the higher-order terms in this expansion is an acceptable approximation if the discretization period is sufficiently small. However, if larger discretization periods are used, the higherorder terms become more significant and affect the accuracy of the result. The advantage of using unevenly distributed time intervals is that there is no longer a restriction on where prediction points can be placed or when predicted outputs are to be evaluated.