Binary Icing Shapes Prediction via Principal Component Analysis and Deep Learning Method

Aircraft icing prediction is crucial for aerodynamic design and airworthiness assessment. Traditional physics-based models struggle with complex multi-physical processes, while existing AI methods (function-based characterization or direct image learning) face issues like multi-valued mapping, high data dependency, or lack of physical interpretability. This study proposes a deep learning framework based on point set displacement description, transforming the icing process into airfoil boundary point movements. PCA dimensionality reduction mitigates the curse of dimensionality while retaining physical meaning. A neural network is used to map environmental parameters to low-dimensional principal components. Comparative analysis shows the 64 × 64 network achieves optimal fitting; 2000 samples reproduce complex ice shapes, and 800 low samples characterize simple ones. Balancing efficiency, accuracy, and interpretability with reduced data dependency, this method provides a new approach for rapid engineering icing prediction.