The course provides fundamental foundations and a working knowledge of modern control techniques for the analysis and design of multivariable aerospace control systems.

Modern control systems in the aerospace sector often use advanced control methods for the design and analysis of advanced control systems the course provides fundamental knowledge and understanding of these methods as well as illustrations of their application to flight control problems.

Fundamental concepts in linear systems theory are covered including system realisations, controllability, observability, and system and signal norms. Modern linear methods for the design and analysis of robust feedback control systems are covered including linear quadratic control, H-infinity control and mu-analysis. The taught material is supported by MATLAB design exercises where the methods are applied to flight control problems. 

 

At a glance

  • Dates
    • 10 - 14 Feb 2025
  • Duration5 days
  • LocationCranfield campus
  • Cost£1,285. Accommodation is not included and must be booked separately. Concessions available

Course structure

The course is delivered through a series of lectures and class discussions during the mornings and MATLAB based exercises in the afternoons. The lectures are supported by tutorial problems to consolidate their fundamental knowledge and understanding. Knowledge of the application of the methods to industrially relevant practical problems is through the labs, where the students also learn the computational software that aid the design and analysis of modern robust control methods.

What you will learn

On completion of the course, you will be able to:
• Analyse the stability, robustness and performance of multivariable aerospace control systems.
• Design robust and optimal feedback control systems using state variable techniques using MATLAB.
• Recognise the advantages and limitations of optimal feedback control.

Core content

Multivariable System Analysis 
• Multivariable linear systems theory 
• System realizations
• Controllability, observability, and canonical forms
• Size of signals and systems

Multivariable Control System Design  
• System interconnection and feedback
• Optimal linear quadratic control and estimation
• Uncertainty and conditions for robustness
• H-infinity optimal control

 

Who should attend

This course is suitable for practising control engineers, particularly those working in flight control, flight dynamicists, and avionics engineers who need knowledge and understanding of modern multivariable control methods. Attendees should be familiar with classical control methods.

Speakers

The course is led by Professor James Whidborne, Professor of Control Engineering at Cranfield University.  

Concessions

20% discount for Cranfield Alumni. 
10% discount when registering 3 or more delegates, from the same organisation at the same time.  

Accommodation fees are not included in the discount scheme. Please ask about our discount scheme at time of booking.

Accommodation options and prices

This course is non-residential. If you would like to book accommodation on campus, please contact Mitchell Hall or Cranfield Management Development Centre directly. Further information about our on-campus accommodation can be found here.  Alternatively, you may wish to make your own arrangements at a nearby hotel. 

Location and travel

Cranfield University is situated in Bedfordshire close to the border with Buckinghamshire. The University is located almost midway between the towns of Bedford and Milton Keynes and is conveniently situated between junctions 13 and 14 of the M1.

London Luton, Stansted and Heathrow airports are 30, 90 and 90 minutes respectively by car, offering superb connections to and from just about anywhere in the world. 

For further location and travel details

Location address

Cranfield University
College Road
Cranfield
Bedford 
MK43 0AL

How to apply

To apply for this course please use the online application form.

Apply now

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.