A quasi-Linear Parameter Varying (qLPV) Approach for Tiltrotor Conversion Modeling and Control Synthesis

A safe conversion of tiltrotor from helicopter mode to airplane mode is ensured through maneuvering within the conversion corridor, a constrained region in the airspeed versus nacelle angle graph. This paper presents preliminary work in the development of an automatic conversion maneuver. A high order quasi-Linear Parameter Varying model is developed for XV-15 that combines discrete state-space models to provide a varying model dynamics and trim characteristics during the conversion maneuver. Tracking control system based on gain scheduled linear quadratic tracker with integrator (LQTI) is designed for automatic conversion maneuver for XV-15 based on the qLPV model. Lastly, an optimization routine is performed to fly various conversion trajectories and identify optimal conversion maneuver.