Multiple-model adaptive estimation using a residual correlation Kalman filter bank

We propose a modified multiple model adaptive estimation (MMAE) algorithm that uses the time correlation of the Kalman filter residuals, in place of their scaled magnitude, to assign conditional probabilities for each of the modeled hypotheses. This modified algorithm, denoted the residual correlation Kalman filter bank (RCKFB), uses the magnitude of an estimate of the correlation of the residual with a slightly modified version of the usual MMAE hypothesis testing algorithm to assign the conditional probabilities to the various hypotheses that are modeled in the Kalman filter bank within the MMAE. This concept is used to detect flight control actuator failures, where the existence of a single frequency sinusoid (which is highly time correlated) in the residual of an elemental filter within an MMAE is indicative of that filter having the wrong actuator failure status hypothesis. This technique results in a delay in detecting the flight control actuator failure because several samples of the residual must be collected before the residual correlation can be estimated. However, it allows a significant reduction of the amplitude of the required system inputs for exciting the various system modes to enhance identifiability, to the point where they may possibly be subliminal, so as not to be objectionable to the pilot and passengers.