Simulation-Based Observability Analysis Tools for Experimental Aerospace Applications

The focus of this work is the development of sensor selection and placement tools to enable high-performance commercial aircraft ride quality with regard to gust load alleviation. We aim to improve the alignment of control theoretic models with physical test results. Specifically, we will be addressing the comparison of sufficient and optimal sensor selection and placement to characterize the response of airframes to wind gusts. We allow for the use of a suite of airplane sensors and expand on previous work done using a single measurement type by incorporating measurements across unit scales and balancing the empirical observability Gramian accordingly. Our work is part of a larger objective of wind tunnel testing to improve ride quality and decrease airframe fatigue.