Model-in-the-loop simulation of experimental flight control software

This paper describes a model-in-the-loop simulation in Simulink to design and test experimental flight control software of a general aviation research aircraft, specifically a modified Diamond Aircraft Industries DA42 M-NG. The aircraft offers an experimental fly-by-wire system with access to all axes of the mechanical flight controls. The experimental software model subject to testing is developed using model-based design in Simulink. The simulation is highly flexible and scalable due to its modularity, which is essential for experimental software. The model-in-the-loop environment provides cost- and time-efficient development and testing, which accelerates the path towards flight test experiments. The core components of the simulation include the flight control computer model, actuation models, a flight dynamics model, sensor models, and numerous command and feedback interfaces. Interfaces to the control software are stimulated in the simulation environment, which allows manual interaction in soft real-time, automatic test case execution, and application of Monte Carlo methods.