RainmanAero
Sep30-06, 04:14 PM
Hello learned colleagues and other deep thinkers:
This question may be construed as either way too esoteric, or simply as too vague for this forum, and if deemed either of these I would agree if others find it an inappropriate topic. However...
When it comes to aerospace vehicles and the software systems that control them, I do believe the history of development has shown a marked progression from "linear and highly-predictable" systems towards an acceptance of "non-linear and more probablistic" systems. The best example I can give is aerodynamic angle of attack.
The early days of aircraft respected, honored, dare we say "worshipped" the linear angle of attack range for lift production... Generally from 0 to 18-20 degrees AOA MAX, depending upon the specific airframe/powerplant design and when its control response becomes non-linear.
We then have progressed to understanding the benefits and trade-offs of being able to maneuver aircraft at MUCH higher AoA's which are WELL into the non-linear region of aerodynamic response.
And then there is the science of Chaos Theory which bridges the worlds of linear and non-linear phenomenon with such tools as fractal embedding analytical processes (wavelets is just one of them!).
But does anyone have any references and/or citations of people who have actually used Chaos Theory as a means to design an optimal system which responds with minimum energy in both its linear and non-linear operating regions?
Thank you. I appreciate any answers or even willingness to discuss such a topic.
Rainman
This question may be construed as either way too esoteric, or simply as too vague for this forum, and if deemed either of these I would agree if others find it an inappropriate topic. However...
When it comes to aerospace vehicles and the software systems that control them, I do believe the history of development has shown a marked progression from "linear and highly-predictable" systems towards an acceptance of "non-linear and more probablistic" systems. The best example I can give is aerodynamic angle of attack.
The early days of aircraft respected, honored, dare we say "worshipped" the linear angle of attack range for lift production... Generally from 0 to 18-20 degrees AOA MAX, depending upon the specific airframe/powerplant design and when its control response becomes non-linear.
We then have progressed to understanding the benefits and trade-offs of being able to maneuver aircraft at MUCH higher AoA's which are WELL into the non-linear region of aerodynamic response.
And then there is the science of Chaos Theory which bridges the worlds of linear and non-linear phenomenon with such tools as fractal embedding analytical processes (wavelets is just one of them!).
But does anyone have any references and/or citations of people who have actually used Chaos Theory as a means to design an optimal system which responds with minimum energy in both its linear and non-linear operating regions?
Thank you. I appreciate any answers or even willingness to discuss such a topic.
Rainman