A Computationally Efficient Methodology for Generating Training Data for a Transient Neural Network of a Tip-Jet Reaction Drive System

This paper presents a computationally efficient methodology for generating training data for a transient neural network model of a tip-jet reaction drive system for potential use as an onboard model in a model based control application. This methodology significantly reduces the number of training points required to capture the transient performance of the system. The challenge in developing an onboard model for a tip-jet reaction drive system is that the model has to operate over the whole flight envelope, to account for the different dynamics present in the system, and to adjust to system degradation or potential faults. In addition, the onboard model must execute in less time than the update interval of the controller. To address these issues, a computationally efficient training methodology and neural network surrogate model have been developed that captures the transient performance of the tip-jet reaction system. As the number of inputs to a neural network becomes large, the computational time needed to generate the number of training points required to accurately represent the range of operating conditions of the system may become quite large also. A challenge for the tip-jet reaction drive system is to minimize the number of neural network training points, while maintaining the high accuracy. To address this issue, a novel training methodology is presented which first trains a steady-state neural network model and uses deviations from steady-state operating conditions to define the transient portion of the training data. The combined results from both the transient and the steady-state training data can then be used to create a single transient neural network of the system. The results in this paper demonstrate that a transient neural network using this new computationally efficient training methodology has the potential to be a feasible option for use as an onboard real-time model for model based control of a tip-jet reaction drive system.