Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-7cvxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-22T11:05:55.092Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Effect of autopilot modes on flight performances of electric mini-UAVs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 January 2016

G. Guglieri
G. Guglieri*
Affiliation:
Politecnico di Torino, Dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica e Aerospaziale, Italy
*
[email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Great attention is focused on the development of both remotely controlled and unmanned flying vehicles. As a matter of fact, the design of such vehicles is a topical direction of development for modern aeronautics. Among such promising flying vehicles, micro- and mini-UAVs play a leading role. The present paper proposes a method to validate the inclusion of the relevant modelling elements in a comprehensive simulation tool reproducing some of the flight phases of a mini-UAV. The energy balance budget and the dynamic response of the aircraft during the automatic flight are investigated, assessing the impact of autopilot configuration, such as altitude-airspeed holding modes and suggesting a setting guideline for flight mode selection compatible with the features of commercial autopilots.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 117 , Issue 1187 , January 2013 , pp. 57 - 69
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Müller, T.M. Fixed and Flapping Wing Aerodynamics for Micro Air Vehicle Applications, AIAA Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics Series, 2001.Google Scholar
2. Müller, T.M., Kellogg, T.J., Ifju, P.G. and Shkarayev, S.V. Introduction to the Design of Fixed-Wing Micro Air Vehicles, AIAA Education Series, 2007.Google Scholar
3. Musial, M. System Architecture of Small Autonomous UAVs, VDM Verlag, 2008.Google Scholar
4. Austin, R. Unmanned Air Systems: UAV Design, Development and Deployment, Wiley, 2010.Google Scholar
5. Nonami, K., Kendoul, F., Suzuki, S., Wang, W. and Nakazawa, D. Autonomous Flying Robots: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Micro Aerial Vehicles, Springer, 2010.Google Scholar
6. Beard, R.W. Small Unmanned Aircraft: Theory and Practice, Princeton University Press, 2012.Google Scholar
7. Micropilot Autopilot Installation and Operation, Micropilot, 2010.Google Scholar
8. Capello, E., Guglieri, G. and Quagliotti, F. A Software Tool Mission Design and Autopilot Integration: an Application to Micro Aerial Vehicles, EUROSIW Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, 2008.Google Scholar
9. Capello, E., Guglieri, G. and Quagliotti, F. UAVs and simulation: an experience on MAVs, Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, 2009, 81, (1), pp 38–50.Google Scholar
10. Abramowitz, M. and Stegun, I.A. Handbook of Mathematical Functions with Formulas, Graphs, and Mathematical Tables, Dover, 1972, p 896.Google Scholar
11. Glauert, H. The Elements of Aerofoil and Airscrew Theory, Cambridge University Press, 2011.Google Scholar
12. Beaty, H.W. and Fink, D.G. Standard Handbook for Electrical Engineers, McGraw-Hill Professional, 2006.Google Scholar
13. Wildi, T. Electrical Machines, Drives and Power Systems, Prentice Hall, 2006.Google Scholar
14. Tyreus, B.D. and Luyben, W.L. Tuning PI Controllers for Integrator Dead Time Processes, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 1992, 31, (11), pp 2628–2631.Google Scholar
15. Marguerettaz, P., Sartori, D., Guglieri, G. and Quagliotti, F. Design and Development of Man-Portable Unmanned Aerial System for Alpine Surveillance Missions., UAS International Conference, Paris, France, 2010.Google Scholar
16. Guglieri, G., Pralio, B. and Quagliotti, F. Flight control system design for a micro aerial vehicle, Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, 78, (2), 2006, pp 87–97.Google Scholar
17. Guglieri, G., Pralio, B. and Quagliotti, F. Design and Performance Analysis of a Micro Aerial Vehicle concept, 2nd AIAA Unmanned Unlimited Systems Technologies and Operations – Aerospace, Land, and Sea Conference, San Diego, USA, 2003.Google Scholar
18. Weissinger, J. The Lift Distribution of Swept Wings, NACA TM-1120, 1947.Google Scholar
19. Aircraft Configuration Interface Software Manual, Mavtech Report, www.mavtech.eu, 2006.Google Scholar