High-Speed, Automatic Controller Design Considerations for Integrating Array Processor, Multi-Microprocessor, and Host Computer System Architectures

Modern control systems must typically perform real-time identification and control as well as coordinate a host of other activites related to user interation, online graphics, and file management. This paper discusses five global design considerations which are useful to integrate array processor, multi-microprocessor, and host computer system architectures into versatile, high-speed controllers. Such controllers are capable of very high control throughput, and can maintain constant interaction with the nonreal-time or user environment. As an application example, the architecture of a high-speed, closed-loop controller used to actively control helicopter vibration will be briefly discussed. Although this system has been designed for use as the controller for real-time rotorcraft dynamics and control studies in a wind tunnel environment, the controller architecture can generally be applied to a wide range of automatic control applications.