Implementation, testing and application of PROTEST: Simulator motion expert tuning software

The tuning of motion base simulators has always been a necessity in achieving reliable motion response. Regardless of the scheme used to transform forces and rates into hardware motion response the key always remains in a set of coefficients. In the past it has been necessary to employ a tuning expert and a pilot's subjective opinion of motion to tune motion bases. However, developed in 1996, PROTEST sought to simplify the tuning process by capturing, in a computer software package, the expertise of the motion-tuning specialist.; Designed to work within the UTIAS Flight Simulator Laboratory environment of the time, PROTEST was found to tune the simulator to acceptable levels. Since that time however, the laboratory hardware and software configuration has changed resulting in the need to upgrade PROTEST.; The goal of this project was to adapt PROTEST to the current UTIAS Flight Simulation Laboratory environment and report the steps taken in this document. This work identified the primary adaptation requirements to lie in the communication required between the PROTEST and host system modules and in incorporating PROTEST components into the host simulator code.; The above tasks completed the entire system was tested for the correct response. This was achieved by controlling the input to the washout filters and observing the response obtained by PROTEST. Once the results were deemed correct a sample tuning procedure was carried out to illustrate that the adaptation was a success. Indeed, this goal was fulfilled in the last of three test experiments when the flight conditions obtained were deemed satisfactory by the test pilot.; The outcome of the project has led to a functioning version of PROTEST and a comprehensive document to aid any further adaptations of PROTEST.