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Electro-mechanical actuation systems are becoming more common in aerospace applications. Systems that have been traditionally based on hydraulic-mechanical (HM) actuators are now being replaced by electro-mechanical actuation systems in pursuit of the more electric airplane. The actuator's primary purpose is to convert energy (hydraulic or electrical) to mechanical energy and this operating mode occupies the primary design focus. A secondary design concern is the conversion of mechanical energy back into hydraulic or electrical energy. This energy results from potential and kinetic energy stored in the mechanical system during actuation. A portion of this energy flows back through the actuator towards the source. In the case of HM actuation, the management of this energy is well understood. In electro-mechanical actuation systems, this energy is commonly referred to as regenerated energy or regen for short.

A Distributed Engine Control Working Group (DECWG) consisting of the Department of Defense (DoD), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)- Glenn Research Center (GRC) and industry has been formed to examine the current and future requirements of propulsion engine systems. The scope of this study will include an assessment of the paradigm shift from centralized engine control architecture to an architecture based on distributed control utilizing open system standards. Included will be a description of the work begun in the 1990's, which continues today, followed by the identification of the remaining technical challenges which present barriers to on-engine distributed control.