Abstract: Vibrations due to excitation of the natural modes of an aircraft's body are suppressed by an active multi-axis modal suppression system. Dedicated sensors are positioned in the aircraft at optimal locations for sensing modal induced vibrations. The sensor produced signals are processed through control logic which, in response thereto, and in response to aircraft inertial, velocity and altitude related signals produces output control signals. The control signals effect control surface deployment creating forces to suppress the natural mode induced vibrations on multiple geometric axis's. More particularly, a symmetric and anti-symmetric control surface deployments are used on one or more geometric axis'to damp lateral, longitudinal, vertical and most importantly torsional vibrational modes.

Abstract: Aerospace vehicle yaw generating systems and associated methods are disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a yaw generating system that can include an aerospace vehicle having a fuselage with a first portion and a second portion. The system can further include a movable control surface coupled to the fuselage and extending generally in a horizontal plane. The control surface can be movable to a deflected position in which the control surface can be positioned to create a flow pattern proximate to the fuselage when the aerospace vehicle is located in a flow field. The flow pattern can be positioned to create a pressure differential between the first portion of the fuselage and the second portion of the fuselage. The first and second portions can be located so that the pressure differential produces a yawing moment on the aerospace vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for guiding an object may comprise improved guidance laws that improve the effectiveness of the PRONAV guidance law. The improved guidance laws may utilize the same parameters as the PRONAV law and may be algorithmically simpler than conventional guidance laws because they may not be based on information about an intercept point or time-to-go. The improved guidance laws may be developed based on the Lyapunov method. The improved guidance laws may augment the PRONAV law and may provide additional components based on the negative definiteness of the derivative of the Lyapunov function. The additional components may be determined based on the partial stability of the guidance system dynamics under consideration with respect to the line of sight derivative. A comparative analysis of the improved guidance laws with the PRONAV laws, for example, may show that the improved guidance laws guarantee shorter homing time requirements and larger capture areas.

Abstract: A thrust vector actuation control system and method is configured to allow self-testing of the entire actuation system and/or its individual system components. The control system also provides real-time, continuous monitoring of actuation system status, and allows system gain and compensation parameters to be changed during vehicle operation remote from its launch site.

Abstract: The device (1) for guiding an aircraft at least over an intermediate trajectory between a first flight trajectory for a low-altitude flight and a second flight trajectory which starts at an initial point, and from which trajectory a parachute drop is carried out, comprises means (9) for determining a point of transition which lies on the first flight trajectory which represents the start of the intermediate trajectory, and which corresponds to the point where the aircraft must exit the first flight trajectory so as to reach the initial point under predetermined flight conditions, and means (13A, 13B) which use the point of transition to aid the guidance of the aircraft between the first and second flight trajectories.

Abstract: A process and device for optimization of deflection of spoiler flaps of an aircraft in flight may, in real time, compute an incidence potential available to be consumed by the spoiler flaps without endangering the aircraft and deflect the spoiler flaps toward the instructed deployed position as a function of the incidence potential.

Abstract: An actuator and movement linkage system for moving a load, such as a control surface of aircraft, in relation to a carrying structure includes an electric motor system, an actuator device connectable or connected to the load to move the load, the actuator device connected to the electric motor system to be driven thereby, and transfer units provided for mechanically connecting the actuator device to move the load.

Abstract: A system and process for countering the vibrations induced in an aircraft by the windmilling of an engine fan may produce a first electric flight control command for a servocontrol to use in actuating a control surface of the aircraft. The servocontrol is slaved to the first electric flight control command, and the servocontrol's operation is limited to a reduced frequency band. Vibrations induced by the windmilling of the engine fan are monitored, and, when the monitored vibrations exceed a threshold, a second electric flight control command for application to the servocontrol is computed to oppose the induced vibrations. Also, the first and second electric flight control commands are summed to produce an overall control command for the control surface, and the servocontrol is temporarily slaved to the overall control command for operation in a widened frequency band.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diagnostics methodology and embedded electronic system that allows optimized low-frequency data sampling for EMA motoring subsystems in an operating vehicle. Each of the EMA motoring subsystems includes: an EMA; at least one motor for driving the EMA; and power controls for operating the motor, wherein the power controls includes a DSP controller for sampling and processing data at low-frequency sampling rates. The diagnostic methodology includes a method that has the steps of: determining an operational mode of the EMA motoring subsystem; selecting a sampling rate optimized for the determined operational mode; acquiring and processing data at the selected sampling rate; and analyzing the processed data to identify and classify a fault of the EMA motoring subsystem.

Abstract: An inertial reference system for an aircraft includes two accelerometers and a gyrometer. One accelerometer is located at a front portion of the aircraft, the other is located at a rear portion of the aircraft. The gyrometer is located at a center portion of the aircraft. The system also includes a control computer linked to the accelerometers and to the gyrometer. The center portion can include the aircraft's center of gravity.

Abstract: This invention control system having: means (12) for detecting an irregularity in aircraft handling during flight; means (18) for causing temporarily a rigid body excitation in at least a portion of the aircraft; means (20) for monitoring an actual response to the excitation; means (22) for comparing the actual response and a target response to the rigid body excitation; and means (14) responsive to an output from the comparison means for determining the need for a modification of the current flight plan and for generating a corresponding control output. The invention also provides a corresponding method for controlling an aircraft.

Abstract: A method for controlling an aircraft includes the steps of receiving acceleration data related to an acceleration of a front portion of the aircraft, and receiving pitch, roll, and/or yaw rate data related to a rate of a center portion of the aircraft. The method also includes a step of generating a pitch, roll, and/or yaw command based on the acceleration data and on the rate data.

Abstract: The piloting system (1) for generating orders for piloting the aircraft according to at least one piloting axis, for example the pitch axis, the roll axis, the yaw axis or the engine thrust control axis, comprises at least two piloting means (2, 3), each of which is capable of calculating the derivative with respect to time of the function which represents the corresponding piloting law and which takes into account the current values of parameters of the aircraft, first means (4) for intercomparing the derivatives calculated by the piloting means (2, 3) and for selecting a derivative; and second means (10) for integrating a selected derivative in such a way as to obtain said piloting order according to said piloting axis.

Abstract: A reliably redundant PCU for an aircraft. The PCU includes an override mechanism coupled to the aircraft's control path and a first control member coupled to the override mechanism whereby the override mechanism attempts to transmit a command from the command path to the first control member. The unit also includes a second control member coupled to the control path whereby the command path transmits the command to the second control member. Additionally, the PCU includes two actuator members coupled to the control members whereby the actuator members attempt to move in response to the command. If the first control member resists moving the override mechanism allows the second control member to actuate the rudder. The PCU also includes a common actuator coupled to the actuator members and the control surface, whereby the actuator moves the control surface. Moreover, a unitary housing contains the first and the second actuator members.

Abstract: Vibrations due to excitation of the natural modes of an aircraft's body are suppressed by an active multi-axis modal suppression system. Dedicated sensors are positioned in the aircraft at optimal locations for sensing modal induced vibrations. The sensor produced signals are processed through control logic which, in response thereto, and in response to aircraft inertial, velocity and altitude related signals produces output control signals. The control signals effect control surface deployment creating forces to suppress the natural mode induced vibrations on multiple geometric axis's. More particularly, symmetric and anti-symmetric control surface deployments are used on one or more geometric axis's to damp lateral, longitudinal, vertical and most importantly torsional vibrational modes.

Abstract: An aircraft formation/refueling guidance system guides a follower aircraft relative to a leader aircraft. A datalink provides a position hold and a bias command from the leader aircraft to the follower aircraft. An optical tracker onboard the follower aircraft takes an image of the leader aircraft when receiving the hold command, tracks the leader aircraft using the image, and provides optical tracker movement outputs. A resolver resolves the optical tracker movement outputs to provide resolver control signals. A vernier control receives the bias command to change a position of the follower aircraft by biasing the resolver control signals with a bias signal. A sum circuit connected to the resolver and to the vernier control receives the resolver control signals and the bias signal to provide a sum circuit output signal. An autopilot and autothrottle receives the sum circuit output signal and the position hold command to control the follower aircraft.

Abstract: An automatic takeoff thrust management system can be used in an aircraft with at least two engines. The management system comprises an aircraft status sensor or set of sensors capable of detecting establishment of takeoff climb conditions, and engine failure detectors respectively coupled to the at least two engines and capable of detecting engine failure. The management system further comprises thrust control modules respectively coupled to the at least two engines and capable of controlling the thrust of the engines, and a controller coupled to the aircraft status sensors, the engine failure detectors, and the thrust control modules. The controller reduces thrust by a selected amount upon detecting establishment of takeoff climb conditions and, if engine failure is detected, restoring thrust to an initial or a higher schedule.

Abstract: An inertial reference system for an aircraft includes two accelerometers and a gyrometer. One accelerometer is located at a front portion of the aircraft, the other is located at a rear portion of the aircraft. The gyrometer is located at a center portion of the aircraft. The system also includes a control computer linked to the accelerometers and to the gyrometer. The center portion can include the aircraft's center of gravity.

Abstract: A method for controlling an aircraft includes the steps of receiving acceleration data related to an acceleration of a front portion of the aircraft, and receiving pitch, roll, and/or yaw rate data related to a rate of a center portion of the aircraft. The method also includes a step of generating a pitch, roll, and/or yaw command based on the acceleration data and on the rate data.

Abstract: Method and device for reducing the vibratory motions of the fuselage of an aircraft. According to the invention, accelerometers (9, 10) are mounted on engines (M1, M4) of the aircraft (1) and, with the aid of the accelerometric measurements thus obtained and of the aeroelastic model of said aircraft, control commands (dZ, dY) to be applied to the ailerons (M1 to M4) so as to counteract the oscillations of said engines are determined.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for generating basis for decisions concerning the behavior of a vehicle and/or of a driver of a vehicle. The system comprises a supervising unit (10) which comprises at least one storage member (12). In the storage member (12) there is a set of rules (14) of a particular kind for how the driver of the vehicle and/or the vehicle shall behave in different situations. The system also comprises a user interface (16) and adaptation means (13) arranged to adapt said set of rules such that at least some of the rules (14) with conclusions (24) belonging thereto are suited to form the basis for decisions concerning the behavior of a vehicle and/or of a driver of a vehicle. The invention also concerns a vehicle and a method of generating basis for decisions concerning the behavior of a vehicle and/or of a driver of a vehicle.

Abstract: Disposed on each wing of an aircraft adjacent the wing tip is at least one deflector mechanism for twisting the wings as part of a control system for alleviating a gust load on the wing. The wing twisting is performed in conjunction with a vertical motion sensor, a sensor signal processor, and a deflector controller. The vertical motion sensor measures the vertical motion of the wing tip in response to the gust load on the wing and generates a sensor output signal. A sensor signal processor generates a deflector control signal in response to the sensor output signal. The deflector control signal represents the duration and degree of the deflector mechanism movement effective to counteract an increase in bending moment on the wing due to a gust load on the wing. A deflector controller regulates the deflector mechanism movement in response to the deflector control signal such that the deflector mechanism is alternately deployed and retracted into and out of the airstream.

Abstract: A method and computer program product are provided for controlling the control effectors of an aerodynamic vehicle including, for example, the respective positions of nozzles and aerodynamic surfaces, to affect a desired change in the time rate of change of the system state vector. The method initially determines differences between anticipated changes in the states of the aerodynamic vehicle based upon the current state of each control effector, and desired state changes. These differences may be weighted based upon a predetermined criteria, such as the importance of the respective states and/or the weight to be attributed to outliers. The differences between the anticipated and desired state changes are converted to the corresponding rates of change of the control effectors. Control signals are then issued to the control effectors to affect the desired change in the time rate of change of the system state vector.

Abstract: Guidance of a gliding vehicle is disclosed. A method of the invention allows the range of the glide phase of a gliding vehicle to be maximized, while satisfying final flight path angle and aimpoint requirements. The method controls the time-of-flight of the gliding value to a desired value. The time-of-flight control can correct for winds, off-nominal launch conditions, and rocket motor variations, among other factors. Both time-of-flight control and range and cross-range maximization can be achieved by the inventive method, utilizing a compact closed-loop approach.

Abstract: A fault tolerant attitude control system for a zero momentum spacecraft. A zero momentum attitude control system is operable to control spacecraft attitude utilizing data received from an earth sensor, a sun sensor, and the inertial measurement unit. A gyroless attitude control system is operable to control spacecraft attitude without receiving data from the inertial measurement unit. A redundancy management system is operable to monitor an inertial measurement unit to detect faults and to reconfigure the inertial measurement unit if a fault is detected and operable to determine when an inertial measurement unit fault is resolved. A controller is operable to automatically switch the spacecraft from the zero momentum attitude control to the gyroless attitude control when a fault in the inertial measurement unit is detected and is operable to automatically switch the spacecraft from the gyroless attitude control to the zero momentum control upon resolution of the fault.

Abstract: According to the invention, in this aircraft, the elements of the inertial reference system are separated according to whether they are intended for navigation (CI) or flight control (5, 6, 7). The accelerometers (5 and 6) intended for flight control are arranged at a vibration antinode, while the gyrometers (7) dedicated to flight control are placed at a vibration node. The accelerometers (5 and 6) and the gyrometers (7) are connected to the flight control computer (12) and their measurements serve as flight control parameters.

Abstract: Method and device for reducing the vibratory motions of the fuselage of an aircraft.

Abstract: An ornithopter with two set of opposed wings maintains powered flight by flapping each set of wings. To dampen vibration, each set of wings move 180 degrees out of phase. To further dampen vibration, the empennage and cockpit are articulated to move vertically in response to the movement of the wings. Changes of flight direction result from wing warping and changing the center of gravity of the ornithopter.

Abstract: Vibrations due to excitation of the natural modes of an aircraft's body are suppressed by an active multi-axis modal suppression system. Dedicated sensors are positioned in the aircraft at optimal locations for sensing modal induced vibrations. The sensor produced signals are processed through control logic which, in response thereto, and in response to aircraft inertial, velocity and altitude related signals produces output control signals. The control signals effect control surface deployment creating forces to suppress the natural mode induced vibrations on multiple geometric axis's. More particularly, symmetric and anti-symmetric control surface deployments are used on one or more geometric axis's to damp lateral, longitudinal, vertical and most importantly torsional vibrational modes.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting in-flight fault characteristics of flight control actuators is provided. Commands are sequentially sent to sets of actuators during flight in a manner that is expected to produce little or no net aircraft motion. The detection of motion indicates the possibility of a faulty actuator. If additional tests confirm the failure, the actuator is isolated and other actuators are compensated to adjust for the failed actuator, permitting continuation of safe and controllable fight by the flight crew and control for a safe landing. This isolation of the suspect failed actuator serves to prevent a possible upset of the aircraft control should the suspect actuator completely fail to a large offset condition, due to continued use during flight, a situation that may cause loss of control of the aircraft.

Abstract: This invention provides an aircraft control system having: means (12) for detecting an irregularity in aircraft handling during flight; means (18) for causing temporarily a rigid body excitation in at least aportion of the aircraft; means (20) for monitoring an actual response to the excitation; means (22) for comparing the actual response and a target response to the rigid body excitation; and means (14) responsive to an output from the comparison means for determining the need for a modification of the current flight plan and for generating a corresponding control output. The invention also provides a corresponding method for controlling an aircraft.

Abstract: A distributed control system is provided where the controllers are split into two dissimilar groups and flight control responsibility is further allocated within each group such that one entire group plus one further controller can fail without compromising the pilot's ability to fly the aircraft.

Abstract: The present method and apparatus consists of storing past values of estimated IRU error and using these past values to update the coasting filter when switching from GPS to inertial mode. Through the storage of past IRU error estimates, it is possible to avoid misdirected guidance from an erroneous GPS signal. The MMR and ground station can require up to 6 seconds to identify a failed GLS signal.

Abstract: A method for automating a takeoff maneuver for an aircraft, comprising the steps of generating a takeoff profile comprising a takeoff point, a flight path, and a takeoff decision point (TDP), engaging an automated takeoff system to access the takeoff profile, receiving periodic position data of the aircraft, comparing the position data to the takeoff profile to compute a plurality of deviations each time the position data is received, outputting the plurality of deviations to a display, converting the plurality of deviations into a plurality of control commands, and maneuvering the aircraft in response to the control commands along the flight path.

Abstract: A flight control system includes a blending algorithm which evaluates the current flight regime and determines the effectiveness of the flight controls to effect the rotational moment of a hybrid vehicle about the yaw axis. Gain schedules for both differential collective and rudder control provide a quantitative measure of control effectiveness. Based on the respective gain schedules, the algorithm determines how much of the control commands should be sent to each control surface. The result is that for a given control command, the same amount of yaw moment will be generated regardless of flight regime. This simplifies the underlying flight control law since the commands it generates are correct regardless of flight regime.

Abstract: A flight control system includes a blending algorithm which evaluates the current flight regime and determines the effectiveness of the flight controls to effect the rotational moment of a hybrid vehicle about the pitch axis. Gain schedules for both pitch cyclic and elevator control provide a quantitative measure of control effectiveness. Based on the respective gain schedules, the algorithm determines how much of the control commands should be sent to each control surface. The result is that for a given control command, the same amount of pitch moment will be generated regardless of flight regime. This simplifies the underlying flight control law since the commands it generates are correct regardless of flight regime.

Abstract: A device for programming industry standard autopilots by unskilled pilots. The effect of the invention is such that when the invention is employed in a flying body comprising an industry standard autopilot with a digital flight control system, the invention provides for the safe operation of any aircraft by an unskilled pilot. The device additionally affords skilled pilots a more rapid and simplified means of programming autopilots while in flight thus reducing a skilled pilot's cockpit workload for all aircraft flight and directional steering, way points, and aircraft flight functions reducing the possibility of pilot error so as to effect safer flight operations of an aircraft by affording a skilled pilot to direct aircraft steering and function while under continuous autopilot control.

Abstract: The present invention is a method that allows controllable devices attached to a vehicle's surface (such as, for example, controllable actuators on an aircraft) to be controlled by a processor or like device in an active-active mode and when a malfunction is detected in one of the controllable devices, the processor will switch to control the controllable devices in an active-standby mode.

Abstract: A flight control system includes a blending algorithm which evaluates the current flight regime and determines the effectiveness of the flight controls to effect the rotational moment of a hybrid vehicle about the roll axis. Gain schedules for both roll cyclic and aileron control provide a quantitative measure of control effectiveness. Based on the respective gain schedules, the algorithm determines how much of the control commands should be sent to each control surface. The result is that for a given control command, the same amount of roll moment will be generated regardless of flight regime. This simplifies the underlying flight control law since the commands it generates are correct regardless of flight regime.

Abstract: The thrust T of an airplane is estimated by a thrust estimating device, and the motion state (the speed, the angular speed, the attitude angle and the elevation angle) of the airplane is detected by a motion state detecting device. Then, a drag estimating device estimates the drag D of the airplane, based on the thrust T and the motion state of the airplane. An operation-amount calculating device converges the steering angle into a target steering angle at which the drag of the airplane is minimized, by repeating the operation of varying the steering angle of a flap by a very small angle by an operating device, and further varying the steering angle by a very small angle, while monitoring the increase or decrease in drag resulting from such variation. Such a drag reducing control is carried out, while monitoring the actual drag and hence, is extremely effective, and also can exhibit an effectiveness, irrespective of the motion state of the airplane.

Abstract: Helicopter, device, and method of controlling helicopter using a computer, at least one motorized mechanical stop, and a collective pitch lever for controlling flight. The device includes a computer, a collective pitch lever, and at least one motorized mechanical stop controlled by the computer. The at least one motorized mechanical stop is adapted to obstruct the free movement of the collective pitch lever. The method includes detecting, using the computer, a deviation between a rotor speed limitation and a current speed, and actuating, using the computer, the at least one motorized mechanical stop. The at least one motorized mechanical stop is adapted to obstruct the free movement of the collective pitch lever.

Abstract: Flight control system for a rotary-wing aircraft, particularly for a helicopter. The flight control system comprises at least one flight control (LCo, MCy, Pal), first commands being representative of the position of a flight control (LCo, MCy, Pal), an assisted flight control system (CDVE) generating assistance values representing second commands, first unit (CDVE) for determining the control commands from the sum of the first and second commands, and a limitation system (SL) which limits the assistance values to first limited values. This limitation system (SL) additionally comprises unit for calculating the difference between the assistance values and the first limited values, and unit for calculating the sum of the first limited values and of difference and for transmitting it as second commands.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for using inertial sensors in an Inertial Navigation System (INS) to obtain analytic estimates of angle-of-attack (&agr;) and sideslip angle (&agr;). The inertial sensors consist of one or more accelerometers which produce the estimated signals for angle-of-attack (&agr;) and sideslip angle (&bgr;). Three methods are shown for obtaining &agr; and &bgr; estimates from INS information and are programmed into a nonlinear simulation of a relaxed stability aircraft requiring a high level of artificial stability augmentation in its flight control system. Simulation results from the nonlinear simulation for each of the three methods were compared with the results obtained when conventional probes were used to obtain direct measurements of &agr; and &bgr;.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and sensors for directly interfacing a pilot (1) with the aerodynamic state of the surfaces of an aircraft, in particular allowing the direct sensorization of the conditions of the aerodynamic surfaces during the flight. The pilot (1) wears one or several “data suits” (2), for example on the arm, on the trunk, on the face or on the hands. The information on the boundary layer state is detected by a plurality of sensors (3) located on the different aerodynamic surfaces. A body interface (4) comprising a console (5), a multi-channel conditioning unit (6) and a processor (7) for the data acquisition are connected to the data suit (2). The data suit uses tactile sensations to transmit to the pilot, data responsive to critical airflow conditions at the sensors (3). In an aircraft with many aerodynamic surfaces the pilot can detect directly any arising critical condition.

Abstract: A feedback control system for a multi-thrusted hovercraft is disclosed. In a hover craft having a plurality of vertically oriented thruster that are controlled by a system that relies on operator input and also the use of sensors to control the altitude and attitude of the hovercraft. A set of simultaneous equations is constructed and solved to reconcile the demands placed on the thrusters to maintain altitude and attitude of the hovercraft.

Abstract: A backup engines-only flight control system accomplishes improved aircraft banking in response to commands by the use of a lead compensated transient differential thrust servo parameter. The lead compensated transient differential thrust servo parameter compensates for the ordinary sluggish banking response during engines-only flight control. Accordingly, because an aircraft equipped with the present invention will respond in a manner expected by pilots, safer backup engines-only flight control is achieved during emergency situations. The improvement comprises a means and method of detecting the magnitude of direction of commanded bank angle and generating a corresponding lead compensated transient differential thrust servo parameter.

Abstract: A flight control system according to the present invention includes a vertical acceleration control device for calculating a pitch axis steering angle command to make a difference between a vertical acceleration of an airplane and a target turn acceleration to zero, and transmitting it as a variable to a pitch axis control device, a reference bank angle device for calculating a reference bank angle from the target turn acceleration, an altitude control device for calculating a bank angle correcting quantity from a difference between an altitude of the airplane and a target altitude and obtaining a bank angle command by correcting the reference bank angle, and a roll axis control device for calculating a roll axis steering angle command for make a difference between a real bank angle and the bank angle command to zero and for transmitting it as a variable to a roll axis control device.

Abstract: A global communications network comprises a plurality of aerial platforms or vehicles deployed at an altitude in or near the stratosphere and permitted to drift in a controlled manner such that each platform adjusts its position relative to other aerial platforms. Each aerial platform has a propulsion system and control surfaces and preferably includes a lighter-than-air component to maintain lift in an economical manner. Each aerial platform also includes a payload, means for communicating with other aerial platforms and a control system including location-finding equipment and a processor adapted for directing the platform's propulsion system and control surfaces to effectuate changes in the aerial platform's position relative to other aerial platforms based on position information, and optionally on other factors such as terrestrial demand for services provided by the payload of the aerial platforms.

Abstract: A method of reducing the bending moment effect of wind gust loads acting on the wing of an aircraft involves adjusting the aerodynamic configuration of the wing so as to alter the distribution of lift generated by the wing during phases of flight in which critical wind gusts are expected to occur. Particularly, during climb and descent phases of flight below cruise altitude, the lift generated by outboard portions of the wings is reduced while the lift generated by inboard portions of the wings is increased. Thereby, the 1 g basis load acting on the outboard portions of the wings is reduced, and consequently the total load applied to the outboard portions of the wings, resulting from the 1 g basis load plus the additional wind gust load, is correspondingly reduced. This leads to a reduction of the bending moments effective on the wings, and of any rolling moment effective on the aircraft.

Abstract: A process and neural network architecture for on-line adjustment of the weights of the neural network in a manner that corrects errors made by a nonlinear controller designed based on a model for the dynamics of a process under control. A computer system is provided for controlling the dynamic output response signal of a nonlinear physical process, where the physical process is represented by a fixed model of the process. The computer system includes a controlled device for responding to the output response signal of the system. The computer system also includes a linear controller for providing a pseudo control signal that is based on the fixed model for the process and provides a second controller, connected to the linear controller, for receiving the pseudo control signal and for providing a modified pseudo control signal to correct for the errors made in modeling the nonlinearities in the process. A response network is also included as part of the computer system.