• actuator
• advanced control techniques
• aircraft
• aircraft control surfaces
• aircraft systems
• attuatori elettromeccanici
• control system
• dynamic systems modeling
• electro mechanical actuator
• ema
• mea
• model based design
• model predictive control
• more electric aircraft
• mpc
• sistemi di controllo

Electro-mechanical actuators (EMAs) are crucial components in driving technological advancements towards the realization of More Electric Aircrafts. In the flow of this innovation trend, this master thesis aims to investigate the viability of the application of Model-based Predictive Control (MPC) in addressing the complex and multi-disciplinary requirements of primary flight controls driven by EMAs, with particular reference to an EMA developed by UmbraGroup S.p.A. The study focuses on the design, implementation, and robustness analysis of MPC-based control algorithm, comparing its performance with respect to classical control techniques.
Starting from a Linear-Time-Invariant (LTI) model, conventional nested loops with Proportional-Integral (PI) cascade controllers are firstly tuned through multi-objective optimization. An MPC algorithm is then developed to replace the position regulator. Nonlinear simulations are then performed in Simulink® environment, to validate the regulators design and critically compare the performances of the two control strategies. The MPC- and PI- based control techniques are analysed in both time and frequency domains, evaluating dynamic performances (command tracking and rejection of disturbances) and robustness, by including model parameters variation and sensors feedback uncertainties.