Duane T. McRuer

Bio: Duane T. McRuer is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Control system & Flying qualities. The author has an hindex of 29, co-authored 71 publications receiving 4808 citations.

A Review of Quasi-Linear Pilot Models

Abstract: During the past several years, an analytical theory of manual control of vehicles has been in development and has emerged as a useful engineering tool for the explanation of past test results and prediction of new phenomena. An essential feature of this theory is the use of quasi-linear analytical models for the human pilot wherein the models' form and parameters are adapted to the task variables involved in the particular pilot-vehicle situation.

Aircraft Dynamics and Automatic Control

Abstract: From the Publisher: Aeronautical engineers concerned with the analysis of aircraft dynamics and the synthesis of aircraft flight control systems will find an indispensable tool in this analytical treatment of the subject. Approaching these two fields with the conviction that an understanding of either one can illuminate the other, the authors have summarized selected, interconnected techniques that facilitate a high level of insight into the essence of complex systems problems. These techniques are suitable for establishing nominal system designs, for forecasting off-nominal problems, and for diagnosing the root causes of problems that almost inevitably occur in the design process. A complete and self-contained work, the text discusses the early history of aircraft dynamics and control, mathematical models of linear system elements, feedback system analysis, vehicle equations of motion, longitudinal and lateral dynamics, and elementary longitudinal and lateral feedback control. The discussion concludes with such topics as the system design process, inputs and system performance assessment, and multi-loop flight control systems.

Mathematical Models of Human Pilot Behavior

Abstract: : The use of mathematical models of the human pilot in analyses of the pilot/vehicle system has brought a new dimension to the engineering treatment of flying qualities, stability and control, pilot/vehicle integration, and display system considerations. As an introduction to such models, elementary concepts and specific physical examples are used to set the stage for a step-by-step development of what is known about the human pilot as a dynamic control component. In the process, quasi-linear models for single-loop systems with visual stimuli and multiloop systems with visual stimuli are presented and then extended to cover multiloop, multi-modality situtations. Empirical connections between the pilot dynamics and pilot ratings are also considered. Some of the most important nonlinear features of human pilot behavior in adapting to changes in the character of the stimuli are described and tied to the quasi-linear models.

New Results in Driver Steering Control Models

Abstract: The dynamic control properties of drivers and driver/vehicle systems in steering operations have been widely investigated. This paper presents a short review of the combined compensatory, pursuit, ...

A Critical View of Driver Behavior Models: What Do We Know, What Should We Do?

Abstract: There appears to be a lack of new ideas in driver behavior modeling. Although behavioral research is under some pressure, it seems too facile to attribute this deplorable state of affairs only to a lack of research funds. In my opinion the causal chain may well run in the opposite direction. An analysis of what is wrong has led me to the conclusion that human factors research in the area of driver behavior has hardly been touched by the “cognitive revolution” that swept psychology in the past fifteen years. A more cognitive approach might seem advisable and the “promise of progress” of such an approach should be assessed.

A Review of Quasi-Linear Pilot Models

Abstract: During the past several years, an analytical theory of manual control of vehicles has been in development and has emerged as a useful engineering tool for the explanation of past test results and prediction of new phenomena. An essential feature of this theory is the use of quasi-linear analytical models for the human pilot wherein the models' form and parameters are adapted to the task variables involved in the particular pilot-vehicle situation.

Disturbance attenuation and rejection for systems with nonlinearity via DOBC approach

Abstract: In this paper the disturbance attenuation and rejection problem is investigated for a class of MIMO nonlinear systems in the disturbance-observer-based control (DOBC) framework. The unknown external disturbances are supposed to be generated by an exogenous system, where some classic assumptions on disturbances can be removed. Two kinds of nonlinear dynamics in the plants are considered, respectively, which correspond to the known and unknown functions. Design schemes are presented for both the full-order and reduced-order disturbance observers via LMI-based algorithms. For the plants with known nonlinearity, it is shown that the full-order observer can be constructed by augmenting the estimation of disturbances into the full-state estimation, and the reduced-order ones can be designed by using of the separation principle. For the uncertain nonlinearity, the problem can be reduced to a robust observer design problem. By integrating the disturbance observers with conventional control laws, the disturbances can be rejected and the desired dynamic performances can be guaranteed. If the disturbance also has perturbations, it is shown that the proposed approaches are infeasible and further research is required in the future. Finally, simulations for a flight control system is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the results. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Spasticity and muscle contracture following stroke

Abstract: Summary It has become increasingly recognized that the major functional deficits following brain damage are largely due to 'negative' features such as weakness and loss of dexterity rather than spasticity. A variety of studies suggest that spasticity is a distinct problem and separate from the loss of dexterity, but that it may be implicated in the formation of muscle contracture and even in the recovery of strength. In order to address these issues, we examined the relationship between spasticity, contracture, strength and dexterity in the affected upper limb following stroke. Spasticity was measured both as increased tonic stretch reflexes and increased resistance to passive stretch (hypertonia). Twenty-four patients were recruited non-selectively from three rehabilitation units within 13 months of their stroke. Few patients exhibited increased tonic reflexes but half were found to have muscle contracture, the earliest at 2 months following stroke. Hypertonia was associated with contracture but not with reflex hyperexcitability. Increased tonic stretch reflexes were observed only in a subgroup of those with contracture and where present could usually be elicited only at the end of muscle range. This finding suggests that instead of spasticity causing contracture, contracture may actually potentiate spasticity in some patients. However, the majority of patients with contracture did not have increased tonic stretch reflexes. In addition, we found no relationship between spasticity and either weakness or loss of dexterity. Therefore, while hypertonia remains an important problem following cerebral lesions, it would appear that the amount of attention directed to reflex hyperexcitability associated with spasticity is out of proportion with its effects. Consequently, hypertonia needs to be clearly distinguished from reflex hyperexcitability in patients with spasticity.

Modeling Driver Behavior in a Cognitive Architecture

Abstract: Objective: This paper explores the development of a rigorous computational model of driver behavior in a cognitive architecture--a computational framework with underlying psychological theories tha...