Use of Fractional-Order Lead Compensators to Increase the Robustness of Aircraft Control Systems

This paper deals with the use of the fractional-order calculus for the control of non-linear and non-stationary systems, such as aerodynamic systems. In the introduction, the paper raises the necessity for control of non-linear and nonstationary systems. Lead compensators are then introduced, first Integer-Order Lead Compensator (IOLC) and then Fractional-Order Lead Compensator (FOLC). An analysis of the effect of the various parameters of the FOLC on its frequency response is presented. Furthermore, the paper proposes to utilize these parameters to tune the FOLC using the Nyquist stability criterion. This proposal is finally demonstrated using an example of an FOLC tuning by an experimental method.