Observers for Robust Rotor State Estimation

The paper discusses the synthesis of linear and nonlinear observers to estimate rotor states from fuselage state measurements alone. First, the paper reviews two forms of the classical Luenberger linear observer applied to the rotor state estimation problem and identifies some limitations thereof. Thereafter, the paper proposes a new robust nonlinear discontinuous observer based on the sliding mode theory to simultaneously estimate rotor flapping and lead-lagging states from fuselage state measurements. For this new nonlinear observer, the paper presents stability analyses to determine conditions that guarantee rotor state estimation accuracy despite unknown but bounded turbulence input. The nonlinear observer also lends itself to the online and real-time estimation of the unknown turbulence input. Simulation results in calm and turbulent air conditions highlight the efficacy and performance of the nonlinear discontinuous observer. Such rotor state observers could provide an independent source of online and real-time rotor states estimates to complement or supplement in situ rotor state measurement apparatus for various flight control and health-monitoring functions.