Full Authority Digital Electronic Control Application to a Variable Cycle Engine

This paper describes the design, fabrication, and system bench testing of an advanced Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) in preparation for full-scale testing on a variable cycle aircraft engine. This control provides all computation and signal-handling capability necessary for the advanced variable cycle engine control task, and is designed to meet challenging reliability, weight, envelope, and life cycle cost objectives. Advanced controller techniques, a unique Failure Indication and Corrective Action feature which allows continued engine operation without significant performance degradation under multiple fault conditions, and use of large-area multilayer ceramic hybrid modules will be demonstrated for the first time in an on-engine control system.