Backup actuation control unit for controlling an actuator dedicated to a given surface and method of using same

A method for controlling an actuator dedicated to a given surface and controlled by at least one primary actuation control unit, the method comprising:

• obtaining a surface position command signal from one of a flight control computer and a backup flight control computer;
• obtaining an actuator position signal from the actuator dedicated to the given surface;
• generating a command signal for the actuator dedicated to the given surface using the obtained surface position command and the obtained actuator position signal;
• providing the generated command signal to the actuator in response to receiving an engagement from (i) the flight control computer or the backup flight control computer and (ii) from the at least one primary actuation control unit;
• and
• providing a reporting signal to the at least one primary actuation control unit.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed, cause a processing unit to perform a method for controlling an actuator dedicated to a given surface and controlled by at least one primary actuation control unit, the method comprising:

• obtaining a surface position command signal from one of a flight control computer or a backup flight control computer;
• obtaining an actuator position signal from the actuator dedicated to the given surface;
• generating a command signal for the actuator dedicated to the given surface using the obtained surface position command and the obtained actuator position signal;
• providing the generated command signal to the actuator in response to receiving an engagement from (i) the flight control computer or the backup flight control computer and (ii) from the at least one primary actuation control unit;
• and
• providing a reporting signal to the at least one primary actuation control unit.