The present solution for the ECS involves a pneumatic circuit with a single-input single-output (SISO) controller. However, the desired thermal comfort according to cabin and cockpit requirements could not be guaranteed in all situations. Moreover, the whole system still has a large potential regarding energy optimisation. In the MEA, the E-ECS can be controlled by a MCS, where the design is explicitly based on the combined minimization of control errors and control effort. This system will take advantage of the full potential of optimizing the electrical consumption by ensuring an optimal performance of all the components.
In the MULTIECS project, the MCS takes advantage of non-linear control techniques. This appproach represents a powerful and flexible model-based design for nonlinear systems, such as the E-ECS, with several active components for control. Moreover, MCS are capable of addressing given cross-couplings properly, therefore are especially suitable for maximizing the performance of these complex systems under dynamic working conditions.
Another challenge is the reduction of the complexity. By means of corresponding cost functions involving weighting matrices for quadratic terms regarding states and control inputs, individual design specifications can be met and trade-offs can be found. Moreover, an extension towards variable weighting matrices, which may also depend on either states or system parameters, becomes possible. Thereby, a situation-dependent close-loop dynamics can be realized and alternative operating modes can be handled efficiently. As a results, this leads to a systematic gain-scheduled controller parametrization as well as a simplified implementation.
Concerning calibration methods, the main requirements are on the one hand, a reduction of the testing time and a small number of test cases. On the other hand, sufficiently accurate design models are needed. The MULTIECS project addresses this challenge by means of symbolic control-oriented models that cover only the dominant system dynamics. Efficient least-squares techniques will be used to parametrize the nonlinear models properly. This approach will imply the starting point for develop more advanced embedded physical models by integrating HPC to real-time control for other applications in the next future.
The compatibility with LTS certification standards and processes of the present development is guaranteed by using Matlab/Simulink from MathWorks. The method of development is flexible and adaptable to other electrical air conditionning packs with a similar architecture. Thereby,its potential market is hugely increased. This latter characteristic increase the potential applicability of the proposed MCS solution.
