Analogue-Computer Simulation of an Autopilot Servo System Having Nonlinear Response Characteristics

摘要

The nonlinear response characteristics of an electrohydraulic servo system were successfully simulated using an electronic analogue computer (differential analyzer). This servo system was the control unit of an autopilot used in the automatic stabilization and control of an aircraft. One element of the servo system, the amplifier, tended to saturate beyond certain voltage input magnitudes and was the cause of the nonlinear response. In obtaining a satisfactory simulation of the servo system it was necessary not only to take into account the nonlinear amplifier characteristics but also the accumulative effect of some time lags of the servo system.