This paper describes the results of Pratt & Whitney Aircraft preliminary design studies for a full authority digital electronic control (FADED) system with capability for controlling an advanced variable cycle gas turbine engine in an advanced supersonic Navy fighter-type aircraft application. The FADEC system concept which resulted from these studies features essentially fail-operational fault tolerance capability for non-augmented operation through the use of redundant sensing, computation, and command paths; parameter synthesis; and self-test techniques. Incorporation of advanced electronic circuit technology and minimization of complex hydromechanical hardware projected to result in over 43 percent reduction in life cycle cost, 41 percent reduction in acquisition cost, 26 percent reduction in weight, and 130 percent improvement in piece part reliability, relative to a system configuration with latest current production control technology.
Full Authority Digital Electronic Control: Highlights of Next Generation Propulsion Control Technology
