Flight Simulation Software

Flight Simulation Software

Explains the many aspects of flight simulator design, including open source tools for developing an engineering flight simulator

Flight simulation is an indispensable technology for civil and military aviation and the aerospace industry. Real-time simulation tools span across all aspects of aircraft development, from aerodynamics and flight dynamics to avionics and image generation systems. Knowledge of flight simulation software is vital for aerospace engineering professionals, educators, and students. Flight Simulation Software contains comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of the computer tools required to design and develop a flight simulator.

Written by a noted expert with decades of experience developing flight simulators in academia, this highly practical resource enables readers to develop their own simulations with readily available open source software rather than relying on costly commercial simulation packages. The book features working software taken from operational flight simulators and provides step-by-step guidance on software design, computer graphics, parallel processing, aircraft equations of motion, navigation and flight control systems, and more.

• Explains both fundamental theory and real-world practice of simulation in engineering design
• Covers a wide range of topics, including coding standards, software validation, user interface design, and sensor modelling
• Describes techniques used in modern flight simulation including distributed architectures and the use of GPUs for real-time graphics rendering
• Addresses unique aspects of flight simulation such as designing flight control systems, visual systems, and simulator instructor stations
• Includes a companion website with downloadable open-source software and additional resources

Flight Simulation Software is a must-have guide for all developers and users of simulation tools, as well as the ideal textbook for relevant undergraduate and postgraduate courses in computer science, aeronautical engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering programs.

Auteur

David Allerton is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Sheffield and Visiting Professor for Flight Simulation at Cranfield University, UK. He is currently a consultant to CnTech, a global developer of flight simulation software. Professor Allerton was a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) Flight Simulation Group for 25 years, serving 2 years as its chairman. He is the author of Principles of Flight Simulation.

Texte du rabat

Flight Simulation Software Explains the many aspects of flight simulator design, including open source tools for developing an engineering flight simulator Flight simulation is an indispensable technology for civil and military aviation and the aerospace industry. Real-time simulation tools span across all aspects of aircraft development, from aerodynamics and flight dynamics to avionics and image generation systems. Knowledge of flight simulation software is vital for aerospace engineering professionals, educators, and students. Flight Simulation Software contains comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of the computer tools required to design and develop a flight simulator. Written by a noted expert with decades of experience developing flight simulators in academia, this highly practical resource enables readers to develop their own simulations with readily available open source software rather than relying on costly commercial simulation packages. The book features working software taken from operational flight simulators and provides step-by-step guidance on software design, computer graphics, parallel processing, aircraft equations of motion, navigation and flight control systems, and more. Explains both fundamental theory and real-world practice of simulation in engineering design Covers a wide range of topics, including coding standards, software validation, user interface design, and sensor modelling Describes techniques used in modern flight simulation including distributed architectures and the use of GPUs for real-time graphics rendering Addresses unique aspects of flight simulation such as designing flight control systems, visual systems, and simulator instructor stations * Includes a companion website with downloadable open-source software and additional resources Flight Simulation Software is a must-have guide for all developers and users of simulation tools, as well as the ideal textbook for relevant undergraduate and postgraduate courses in computer science, aeronautical engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering programs.

Contenu

Preface xiii

Aerospace Series Preface xvii

Glossary xix

About the Author xxiii

About the Companion Website xxv

1 Design of an Engineering Flight Simulator 1

1.1 The Evolution of Flight Simulation 1

1.2 Structure of a Flight Simulator 3

1.3 Real-time Flight Simulation 6

1.3.1 The Concept of Real-time Computing 6

1.3.2 Operating Systems 8

1.3.3 Latency 9

1.4 Distributed Computing 10

1.5 Processes and Threads 15

1.5.1 Multi-tasking 15

1.5.2 Semaphores 16

1.5.3 Asynchronous Input 18

1.5.4 Real-time Scheduling 21

1.6 Software Partitioning 22

1.7 Simulator Data 24

1.8 Input and Output 29

1.8.1 Data Acquisition 29

1.8.2 Digital-to-Analogue Conversion 30

1.8.3 Analogue-to-Digital Conversion 31

1.8.4 Multiplexing 33

1.8.5 Encoders 33

1.8.6 Digital Input/Output 34

1.8.7 Signal Conditioning 35

1.8.8 Embedded Systems 36

1.8.9 USB Interfacing 40

References 42

2 Software Methods in Simulation 45

2.1 The Laplace Transform 45

2.2 Transfer Functions 47

2.3 Discrete-event Systems 54

2.4 Data Fitting 58

2.4.1 Data Sources 58

2.4.2 Least-squares Method 60

2.4.3 Spline Methods 63

2.4.4 Extrapolation 70

2.4.5 Observations on Data Fitting 72

2.5 Numerical Methods 72

2.6 Numerical Stability and Accuracy 80

2.6.1 Numerical Stability 80

2.6.2 Numerical Accuracy 82

2.7 Timing Analysis 84

2.8 Simulation Packages 87

References 92

3 Aircraft Equations of Motion 93

3.1 Atmospheric Model 93

3.1.1 The Atmosphere 93

3.1.2 Wind 96

3.1.3 Turbulence 96

3.1.4 Wind Shear 98

3.2 Axes 99

3.2.1 Body Axes 99

3.2.2 Stability Axes 101

3.2.3 Local Frame 101

3.2.4 Earth-centred Earth-fixed Frame 104

3.2.5 Rotating Earth Frame 104

3.3 Quaternions 105

3.4 Aerodynamics 108

3.4.1 Performance and Handling 109

3.4.2 Coefficient of Lift 110

3.4.3 Coefficient of Drag 112

3.4.4 Coefficient of Side Force 113

3.4.5 Pitching Moment Coefficients 114

3.4.6 Rolling Moment Coefficients 115

3.4.7 Yawing Moment Coefficients 115

3.4.8 Mach Number 116

3.4.9 Observations 117

3.5 Equations of Motion 118

3.5.1 Forces 120

3.5.2 Moments 122

3.5.3 Long-Range Navigation 125

3.6 Propulsion 126

3.6.1 Piston Engines 127

3.6.2 Turbofans 134

3.7 Landing Gear 137

References 144

4 Flight Control Systems 147

4.1 Automatic Flight Control 147

4.2 Development of Flight Control Laws 148

4.2.1 The Case for Offline Development and Testing 148

4.2.2 SimPlot 150

4.2.3 Trimming 152

4.3 PID Control 154

4.4 Automatic Modes 157

4.4.1 Turn Coordinator 157

4.4.2 Yaw Damper 158

4.4.3 Pitch Rate Controller 160

4.4.4 Auto-throttle 163

4.4.5 Vertical Speed Hold 165

4.4.6 Altitude Hold 165

4.4.7 Heading Hold 166

4.4.8 Observations on Automatic Modes 170

4.5 Airbus Control Laws 170

4.5.1 Pitch Normal Law 171

4.5.2 Roll Rate Law 173

4.6 Tracking 174

4.7 Auto-land 177

4.8 Flight Director 180

4.9 Flight Management Systems 181

4.9.1 Flight Control Unit 182

4.9.2 Flight Management Systems Simulation 182

References 187

5 Navigation Systems 189

5.1 The Earth 189 …