An automatic antiskid braking control system for the Space Shuttle Vehicle

Large high-speed, aircraft such as the Space Shuttle Vehicle require automatic antiskid braking control to prevent excessive tire wear and/or catastrophic failure during landing rollout. This thesis investigates the basic multiwheel braking problem, and presents an essentially all digital controller. The control system will accomplish totally automatic rollout braking control, or can be used simply for antiskid protection during pilots manual braking. Wheel speed and measured braking reaction torque are the feedback signals used for skid detection and prevention. Wheel slip is the basic control command variable. Simplified math models for vehicle dynamics, wheel/runway interface, and braking control system components were developed to test the control system design. These models were programmed in an all digital simulation, and typical test results are presented.