Final Report Summary - I-PRIMES (I-PRIMES: an Intelligent Power Regulation using Innovative Modules for Energy Supervision)
Executive Summary:
The main objective of the proposal is the development of an hardware device able to implement an innovative power management (I-LPM) function for an aeronautical electrical network. The proposal is based on the following keypoints:
1) the I-LPM strategy for the specific application is first derived and tested in a simulation environment. In a second phase the above strategy is implemented, adopting semi-automatic techniques for translation of the simulation model into firmware used by the onboard processor(s).
2) an EPC (Electrical Power Center) hardware extension is designed and realized, where a modular approach is considered for the overall equipment implementation. Each cell is composed by a programmable device, an interfacing stage and possibly by an innovative power device switching component (not applicable for “fixed power” loads). A “master” module is able to implement the I-LPM concept and communicate with “slave” modules for correct energy management strategy implementation. Different types of “slave” modules are considered, taking into account the necessity of I-LPM strategy implementation for both “fixed power” and “variable power” (e.g. pure resistive ) loads
Project Context and Objectives:
The activity are split in five work packages, namely I-PRIMES project requirements analysis (WP 1), Early Design Stage (WP 2), Control and Hardware Module Design (WP 3), Implementation & Integration (WP 4) and finally Validation & Optimization (WP 5). Besides, Management (WP 6) activities have been scheduled in order to coordinate the Consortium actions.
The WP 1 first work package is devoted to the analysis of the Project requirements and subsequent derivation of hardware and software specifications. In details, the supervisory control methods and commercial available switching power devices characteristics are analyzed in details. From the obtained results a high-level design process runs, translating the derived specifications in a first preliminary simulation model, objective of subsequent work package.
Therefore, in WP 2 the main logical blocks of the Project (i.e. the supervisory control and the power switching devices) are modeled in a simulation environment. Due to its extensive use as modeling language for aeronautical applications, MODELICA is adopted for the current modeling phase.
A deliverable includes a detailed analysis of the modeled hardware and software components, focusing on a basic supervisory control and power switching devices models. Such elements are physically implemented in the successive WPs, in order to cope with the project specifications.
During the Control and Hardware Module Design (WP 3), two concurrent activities are performed.
A Project participant (DII-SUN) is involved in detailed modeling, testing and implementation of the supervisory control to be included into the firmware Master cell of the equipment, devoted to coordinate the other Slave cells. The partial supervisory control derived in WP 2 is first extended, considering the models representative of the ETB, and successively semi-automatic translation techniques are adopted for an appropriate model translation into FPGA firmware.
On the other side, the second participant (AER) implements the main cells core, for both Master and Slave cell types. For Master it is necessary to implement the internal connections between microprocessor and the devoted controller, together with the interfacing stage with commanded modules. On the other side, the Slave cells main core are realized, taking into account the difference between “fixed power loads” and “pure resistive loads”. In particular, a principal WP 3 activity is the implementation of an SSPC, configured in order to permit the I-LPM strategy implementation.
At the end of WP 3, the cells main core is implemented and programmed with devoted firmware. Two deliverables are produced during WP 3 activities for obtained results evidencing.
Implementation & Integration (WP 4) work plan is based on the physical realization and installation onto the electrical network of the models arranged in the previous WPs.
It is necessary to take care of realization, interfacing and finalization of both hardware cell types. CAD software is considered for hardware modules design, where ad-hoc simulation environments is used for electrical components verification. Furthermore, the interfacing stage is designed taking into account the necessity of implement communications between Master and Slave cell, and also between Master and the Electrical Power Center. In particular, it is necessary to follow the ICD documents provided as Project input for Master to EPC electrical linking, while an industrial communication protocol (i.e. CAN) is adopted for information exchanges between Master and Slave cells.
Finally, the implemented hardware module needs to be connected to the electrical rig. As a preliminary step, different test casesare prepared for the EPC hardware module as standalone, using ad-hoc electrical equipments. Next, after the successful test passing, the device is connected to the electrical rig and its behavior is checked in different electrical network conditions. A complete test case suite is configured in order to verify the EPC hardware module reactions in different network conditions.
A devoted deliverable reports the integration tests result, including also an user manual where both technical and functional EPC hardware module characteristics is included and accurately described.
About WP 5 (Validation & Optimization) activities, it has to be evidenced that associated activities are conducted at the end of WP 3 and WP 4, while optimization concludes the Project, taking care of eventual feedbacks to be correctly managed. It is necessary to validate simulation results and/or measurements of electrical quantities. Optimization gives the chance to the end user for fine adjustments and tuning, in order to fully comply with I-PRIMES project requirements.
Finally, WP 6 activities concern management tasks and accurately described in Section 2.1 of this proposal.
Project Results:
I-PRIMES main scientific result has been the development of a new supervisory control technique for electrical energy management of aeronautical networks, named Intelligent Load Power Management (I-LPM). This technique, aiming at managing the overload conditions of the generator in order to reduce its size, and providing an alternative to the total shed of the loads by introducing techniques of voltage chopping, has been succesfully tested by using a modular structure composed by a Master module, embedding the logics, and several Slave modules, physical (i.e. DC/DC converters) and virtual (i.e. protocol with E-ECS and SPLS loads). The technique itself is innovative, being the first example of supervisory control for aeronautical equipment for energy management purposes. Moreover, a number of Solid State Power Contactor have been used as main core of the DC/DC converters, adopted for voltage chopping. Thie SSPC embed a particular matrix structure, both referring to the switches and the filters. This particular structure has led to a reduction of the converter size, as main technological result of the I-PRIMES project
Potential Impact:
Supervisory control of the Electrical Test Bench, main topic of the I-PRIMES Project, is an innovative method proposed for a more intelligent load power management, with respect to state-of-art techniques. The objective of the discussed high-level control is mainly the discarding of generator overload capacity, therefore forcing weight and volume to stay within predefined limits for aeronautical applications. It is expected that the consequential reduction in fuel burn and emissions will enhance the competitiveness of European aircraft products.
Furthermore, it is expected its insertion as a standard component for future virtual aircraft model. Therefore, the I-LPM strategy may become a basic technology for next generation multiphysics aeronautical network model, possibly implementing updates as a consequence of different networks to be monitored (e.g. helicopters and jets).
Besides, the ability of optimize power load consumptions may be of value also for other alternative transport vehicles (marine, rail and road vehicles), suggesting similar supervisory control strategies for reduction of costs and size of electrical generators.
Finally, the discussed cellular approach has the potentiality to become a futuristic approach for many types of aeronautical equipments, especially in the framework of onboard energy management. The I-PRIMES approach is Master-Slave type, therefore is not “distributed” as in the actual common sense, where the primary intelligence does not resides in a single module (here, the Master) but is shared between peer having equal responsibilities. However, the cellular non-autonomous approach outlined in I-PRIMES Project seems to be a first significant step towards the cellular approach direction, where the resolution of typical concurrent system problems (e.g. synchronization and consistence of the global status) will be the main question to solve.
This Project will therefore have a significant impact on the competitiveness of European manufacturers. Through the long-term potential to improve fuel efficiency and reduce fuel burn, it should also have a wider impact on society and the environment as a whole.
List of Websites:
http://research.diii.unina2.it/acl/projects.html
The main objective of the proposal is the development of an hardware device able to implement an innovative power management (I-LPM) function for an aeronautical electrical network. The proposal is based on the following keypoints:
1) the I-LPM strategy for the specific application is first derived and tested in a simulation environment. In a second phase the above strategy is implemented, adopting semi-automatic techniques for translation of the simulation model into firmware used by the onboard processor(s).
2) an EPC (Electrical Power Center) hardware extension is designed and realized, where a modular approach is considered for the overall equipment implementation. Each cell is composed by a programmable device, an interfacing stage and possibly by an innovative power device switching component (not applicable for “fixed power” loads). A “master” module is able to implement the I-LPM concept and communicate with “slave” modules for correct energy management strategy implementation. Different types of “slave” modules are considered, taking into account the necessity of I-LPM strategy implementation for both “fixed power” and “variable power” (e.g. pure resistive ) loads
Project Context and Objectives:
The activity are split in five work packages, namely I-PRIMES project requirements analysis (WP 1), Early Design Stage (WP 2), Control and Hardware Module Design (WP 3), Implementation & Integration (WP 4) and finally Validation & Optimization (WP 5). Besides, Management (WP 6) activities have been scheduled in order to coordinate the Consortium actions.
The WP 1 first work package is devoted to the analysis of the Project requirements and subsequent derivation of hardware and software specifications. In details, the supervisory control methods and commercial available switching power devices characteristics are analyzed in details. From the obtained results a high-level design process runs, translating the derived specifications in a first preliminary simulation model, objective of subsequent work package.
Therefore, in WP 2 the main logical blocks of the Project (i.e. the supervisory control and the power switching devices) are modeled in a simulation environment. Due to its extensive use as modeling language for aeronautical applications, MODELICA is adopted for the current modeling phase.
A deliverable includes a detailed analysis of the modeled hardware and software components, focusing on a basic supervisory control and power switching devices models. Such elements are physically implemented in the successive WPs, in order to cope with the project specifications.
During the Control and Hardware Module Design (WP 3), two concurrent activities are performed.
A Project participant (DII-SUN) is involved in detailed modeling, testing and implementation of the supervisory control to be included into the firmware Master cell of the equipment, devoted to coordinate the other Slave cells. The partial supervisory control derived in WP 2 is first extended, considering the models representative of the ETB, and successively semi-automatic translation techniques are adopted for an appropriate model translation into FPGA firmware.
On the other side, the second participant (AER) implements the main cells core, for both Master and Slave cell types. For Master it is necessary to implement the internal connections between microprocessor and the devoted controller, together with the interfacing stage with commanded modules. On the other side, the Slave cells main core are realized, taking into account the difference between “fixed power loads” and “pure resistive loads”. In particular, a principal WP 3 activity is the implementation of an SSPC, configured in order to permit the I-LPM strategy implementation.
At the end of WP 3, the cells main core is implemented and programmed with devoted firmware. Two deliverables are produced during WP 3 activities for obtained results evidencing.
Implementation & Integration (WP 4) work plan is based on the physical realization and installation onto the electrical network of the models arranged in the previous WPs.
It is necessary to take care of realization, interfacing and finalization of both hardware cell types. CAD software is considered for hardware modules design, where ad-hoc simulation environments is used for electrical components verification. Furthermore, the interfacing stage is designed taking into account the necessity of implement communications between Master and Slave cell, and also between Master and the Electrical Power Center. In particular, it is necessary to follow the ICD documents provided as Project input for Master to EPC electrical linking, while an industrial communication protocol (i.e. CAN) is adopted for information exchanges between Master and Slave cells.
Finally, the implemented hardware module needs to be connected to the electrical rig. As a preliminary step, different test casesare prepared for the EPC hardware module as standalone, using ad-hoc electrical equipments. Next, after the successful test passing, the device is connected to the electrical rig and its behavior is checked in different electrical network conditions. A complete test case suite is configured in order to verify the EPC hardware module reactions in different network conditions.
A devoted deliverable reports the integration tests result, including also an user manual where both technical and functional EPC hardware module characteristics is included and accurately described.
About WP 5 (Validation & Optimization) activities, it has to be evidenced that associated activities are conducted at the end of WP 3 and WP 4, while optimization concludes the Project, taking care of eventual feedbacks to be correctly managed. It is necessary to validate simulation results and/or measurements of electrical quantities. Optimization gives the chance to the end user for fine adjustments and tuning, in order to fully comply with I-PRIMES project requirements.
Finally, WP 6 activities concern management tasks and accurately described in Section 2.1 of this proposal.
Project Results:
I-PRIMES main scientific result has been the development of a new supervisory control technique for electrical energy management of aeronautical networks, named Intelligent Load Power Management (I-LPM). This technique, aiming at managing the overload conditions of the generator in order to reduce its size, and providing an alternative to the total shed of the loads by introducing techniques of voltage chopping, has been succesfully tested by using a modular structure composed by a Master module, embedding the logics, and several Slave modules, physical (i.e. DC/DC converters) and virtual (i.e. protocol with E-ECS and SPLS loads). The technique itself is innovative, being the first example of supervisory control for aeronautical equipment for energy management purposes. Moreover, a number of Solid State Power Contactor have been used as main core of the DC/DC converters, adopted for voltage chopping. Thie SSPC embed a particular matrix structure, both referring to the switches and the filters. This particular structure has led to a reduction of the converter size, as main technological result of the I-PRIMES project
Potential Impact:
Supervisory control of the Electrical Test Bench, main topic of the I-PRIMES Project, is an innovative method proposed for a more intelligent load power management, with respect to state-of-art techniques. The objective of the discussed high-level control is mainly the discarding of generator overload capacity, therefore forcing weight and volume to stay within predefined limits for aeronautical applications. It is expected that the consequential reduction in fuel burn and emissions will enhance the competitiveness of European aircraft products.
Furthermore, it is expected its insertion as a standard component for future virtual aircraft model. Therefore, the I-LPM strategy may become a basic technology for next generation multiphysics aeronautical network model, possibly implementing updates as a consequence of different networks to be monitored (e.g. helicopters and jets).
Besides, the ability of optimize power load consumptions may be of value also for other alternative transport vehicles (marine, rail and road vehicles), suggesting similar supervisory control strategies for reduction of costs and size of electrical generators.
Finally, the discussed cellular approach has the potentiality to become a futuristic approach for many types of aeronautical equipments, especially in the framework of onboard energy management. The I-PRIMES approach is Master-Slave type, therefore is not “distributed” as in the actual common sense, where the primary intelligence does not resides in a single module (here, the Master) but is shared between peer having equal responsibilities. However, the cellular non-autonomous approach outlined in I-PRIMES Project seems to be a first significant step towards the cellular approach direction, where the resolution of typical concurrent system problems (e.g. synchronization and consistence of the global status) will be the main question to solve.
This Project will therefore have a significant impact on the competitiveness of European manufacturers. Through the long-term potential to improve fuel efficiency and reduce fuel burn, it should also have a wider impact on society and the environment as a whole.
List of Websites:
http://research.diii.unina2.it/acl/projects.html