The Institute of System Dynamics and Control (SR) is working on the further development and application of advanced control methods to improve the performance, energy, efficiency, safety and comfort of complex control systems. The overriding goal of the institute are innovative solutions for space robotics and systems, flexible-wing aircraft, road and rail vehicles as well as technology transfer.

The aircraft energy systems team is researching model-based algorithms for the electric energy management with the purpose of achieving a more efficient operation or an improved design of the system.

The trend of an increasing electrification is thereby our focus. Because of the improved power density and efficiency, we expect that electric systems replace existing hydraulic and pneumatic systems and also gain significance as part of the propulsion system. To fully exploit the resulting potential of integration, tailor-made mathematical models of all essential components are needed.

With these, the impact of improved algorithms for energy management as well as the impact of new components (modern generators, novel batteries) can be assessed by means of simulation studies. This work is conducted as part of an international research project.

For your activity in this field, you have access to a rich tool set and model base provided by the Institute. New algorithms for energy management can be tested on real-time hardware. About this activity, scientific findings are expected to be published.

These objectives are associated to the following tasks:

• getting familiar with existing and already planned (future conceptual) electrical architectures of aircraft on-board systems including the propulsion system
• getting acquainted with the theoretical basics and application of object-oriented modelling and simulation for multi-domain systems
• extension and improvement of the existing model base to reach a sufficient high level of detail
• implementation of simulation studies to assess the integration of new technologies and the corresponding development of algorithms for energy management
• test on real-time hardware for control
• cooperation with international industrial partners
• publishing of articles in conference proceedings, journals and monographs

We offer you the opportunity to work scientifically within research projects and to write a doctoral dissertation in cooperation with a university.