Unmanned aircraft automatic flight control algorithm in an Immelmann manoeuvre

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomasz Rogalski ◽  
Paweł Rzucidło ◽  
Stanisław Noga ◽  
Jacek Prusik

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the idea of automatic flight control algorithms capable of performing an Immelmann turn manoeuvre automatically. This is a case of a manoeuvre far removed from so-called standard flight. The character of this manoeuvre and the range of changes in the aircraft flight parameters restrict the application of standard control algorithms. Furthermore, the possibility of acquiring full and detailed information about the aircraft’s flight parameters is limited in such cases. This paper seeks to analyse an alternative solution that can be applied in some specific cases. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses theoretical discussion and breakdowns to create the basics for development of structures of control algorithms. A simplified analytical approach was applied to tune regulators and the results of the research were verified in a series of software-in-the loop computer simulations. Findings The structure of the control system enabling aerobatic flight (with the Immelmann turn as the selected example) was identified and the method for tuning the regulators is also presented. Practical implications It could serve as a foundation for autopilots working in non-conventional flight states and aircraft automatic recovery systems. Originality/value This paper presents the author’s original approach to aircraft automatic control when high control precision is not the priority and not all flight parameters can be precisely measured.

2020 ◽  
Vol 92 (8) ◽  
pp. 1215-1224
Author(s):  
Tomasz Rogalski ◽  
Paweł Rzucidło ◽  
Jacek Prusik

Purpose The paper aims to present an idea of automatic control algorithms dedicated to both small manned and unmanned aircraft, capable to perform spin maneuver automatically. This is a case of maneuver far away from so-called standard flight. The character of this maneuver and the range of aircraft flight parameters changes restrict application of standard control algorithms. Possibility of acquisition full information about aircraft flight parameters is limited as well in such cases. This paper analyses an alternative solution that can be applied in some specific cases. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses theoretical discussion and breakdowns to create basics for development of structures of control algorithms. Simplified analytical approach was applied to tune regulators. Results of research were verified in series of software-in-the loop, computer simulations. Findings The structure of the control system enabling aerobatic flight (spin flight as example selected) was found and the method how to tune regulators was presented as well. Practical implications It could be a fundament for autopilots working in non-conventional flight states and aircraft automatic recovery systems. Originality/value The paper presents author’s original approach to aircraft automatic control when high control precision is not the priority, and not all flight parameters can be precisely measured.


2018 ◽  
Vol 90 (6) ◽  
pp. 877-884
Author(s):  
Tomasz Rogalski

Purpose This paper aims to present the idea of an automatic control system dedicated to small manned and unmanned aircraft performing manoeuvres other than those necessary to perform a so-called standard flight. The character of these manoeuvres and the range of aircraft flight parameter changes restrict application of standard control algorithms. In many cases, they also limit the possibility to acquire complete information about aircraft flight parameters. This paper analyses an alternative solution that can be applied in such cases. The loop manoeuvre, an element of aerobatic flight, was selected as a working example. Design/methodology/approach This paper used theoretical discussion and breakdowns to create basics for designing structures of control algorithms. A simplified analytical approach was then applied to tune regulators. Research results were verified in a series of computer-based software-in-the-loop rig test computer simulations. Findings The structure of the control system enabling aerobatic flight was found and the method for tuning regulators was also created. Practical implications The findings could be a foundation for autopilots working in non-conventional flight scenarios and automatic aircraft recovery systems. Originality/value This paper presents the author’s original approach to aircraft automated control where high precision control is not the priority and flight parameters cannot be precisely measured or determined.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhifang Wang ◽  
Jianguo Yu ◽  
Shangjing Lin ◽  
Junguo Dong ◽  
Zheng Yu

Purpose The paper takes the air-ground integrated wireless ad hoc network-integrated system as the research object, this paper aims to propose a distributed robust H∞ adaptive fault-tolerant control algorithm suitable for the system to distribute to solve the problem of control and communication failure at the same time. Design/methodology/approach In the paper, the authors propose a distributed robust H∞ adaptive fault-tolerant control algorithm suitable for the air-ground integrated wireless ad hoc network-integrated system. Findings The results show that the integrated system has good robustness and fault tolerance performance indicators for flight control and wireless signal transmission when confronted with external disturbances, internal actuator failures and wireless network associated failures and the flight control curve of the quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is generally smooth and stable, even if it encounters external disturbances and actuator failures, its fault tolerance performance is very good. Then in the range of 400–800 m wireless communication distance, the success rate of wireless signal loop transmission is stable at 80%–100% and the performance is at least relatively improved by 158.823%. Originality/value This paper takes the air-ground integrated wireless ad hoc network-integrated system as the research object, based on the robust fault-tolerant control algorithm, the authors propose a distributed robust H∞ adaptive fault-tolerant control algorithm suitable for the system and through the Riccati equation and linear matrix inequation method, the designed distributed robust H∞ adaptive fault-tolerant controller further optimizes the fault suppression factor γ, so as to break through the limitation of only one Lyapunov matrix for different fault modes to distribute to solve the problem of control and communication failure at the same time.


2019 ◽  
Vol 91 (6) ◽  
pp. 880-885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoni Kopyt ◽  
Sebastian Topczewski ◽  
Marcin Zugaj ◽  
Przemyslaw Bibik

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to elaborate and develop an automatic system for automatic flight control system (AFCS) performance evaluation. Consequently, the developed AFCS algorithm is implemented and tested in a virtual environment on one of the mission task elements (MTEs) described in Aeronautical Design Standard 33 (ADS-33) performance specification. Design/methodology/approach Control algorithm is based on the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) which is adopted to work as a controller in this case. Developed controller allows for automatic flight of the helicopter via desired three-dimensional trajectory by calculating iteratively deviations between desired and actual helicopter position and multiplying it by gains obtained from the LQR methodology. For the AFCS algorithm validation, the objective data analysis is done based on specified task accomplishment requirements, reference trajectory and actual flight parameters. Findings In the paper, a description of an automatic flight control algorithm for small helicopter and its evaluation methodology is presented. Necessary information about helicopter dynamic model is included. The test and algorithm analysis are performed on a slalom maneuver, on which the handling qualities are calculated. Practical implications Developed automatic flight control algorithm can be adapted and used in autopilot for a small helicopter. Methodology of evaluation of an AFCS performance can be used in different applications and cases. Originality/value In the paper, an automatic flight control algorithm for small helicopter and solution for the validation of developed AFCS algorithms are presented.


2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-270
Author(s):  
Firat Sal

Purpose The purpose of this paper presents the effects of actively morphing root chord and taper on the energy of the flight control system (i.e. FCS). Design/methodology/approach Via regarding previously mentioned purposes, sophisticated and realistic helicopter models are benefitted to examine the energy of the FCS. Findings Helicopters having actively morphing blade root chord length and blade taper consume less control energy than the ones having one of or any of passively morphing blade root chord length and blade taper. Practical implications Actively morphing blade root chord length and blade taper can be used for cheaper helicopter operations. Originality/value The main originality of this paper is applying active morphing strategy on helicopter blade root chord and blade taper. In this paper, it is also found that using active morphing strategy on helicopter blade root chord and blade taper reasons less energy consumption than using either passively morphing blade root chord length plus blade taper or not any. This causes also less fuel consumption and green environment.


2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiqiang Yu ◽  
Qing Shi ◽  
Huaping Wang ◽  
Ning Yu ◽  
Qiang Huang ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present state-of-the-art approaches for precise operation of a robotic manipulator on a macro- to micro/nanoscale. Design/methodology/approach This paper first briefly discussed fundamental issues associated with precise operation of a robotic manipulator on a macro- to micro/nanoscale. Second, this paper described and compared the characteristics of basic components (i.e. mechanical parts, actuators, sensors and control algorithm) of the robotic manipulator. Specifically, commonly used mechanisms of the manipulator were classified and analyzed. In addition, intuitive meaning and applications of its actuator explained and compared in details. Moreover, related research studies on general control algorithm and visual control that are used in a robotic manipulator to achieve precise operation have also been discussed. Findings Remarkable achievements in dexterous mechanical design, excellent actuators, accurate perception, optimized control algorithms, etc., have been made in precise operations of a robotic manipulator. Precise operation is critical for dealing with objects which need to be manufactured, modified and assembled. The operational accuracy is directly affected by the performance of mechanical design, actuators, sensors and control algorithms. Therefore, this paper provides a categorization showing the fundamental concepts and applications of these characteristics. Originality/value This paper presents a categorization of the mechanical design, actuators, sensors and control algorithms of robotic manipulators in the macro- to micro/nanofield for precise operation.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  

Purpose The purpose of this study is to carry out a literature review on interim leadership and management focusing on interim assignment performance and the antecedent characteristics of effective interim leaders. Design/methodology/approach A targeted review of the literature on the literature on interim leadership and management is carried out and reported. Findings A cycle of interim assignments is proposed consisting of four stages, preparation, entry, delivery and exit. Individual characteristics seen as antecedents of effectiveness are then applied to each of these stages. Practical implications The interim assignment cycle proposed in this paper can help to address gaps in the literature and aid the development of methods and tools for selection of interims and management of effectiveness during assignments. Originality/value This paper has an original approach in providing a model through which interim assignments can be better understood.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Gibbs ◽  
Kate Maguire

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the relationship between individual practitioners’ personal values and their developing professional agentic values. It considers how the former might be in tension with the prescribed forms of practice held to be “professional” by professional bodies, warranting membership, and indeed, any licence to practice. Design/methodology/approach – The paper seeks an understanding of the different personal and collective ontological stances and tensions that practitioners may experience as they progress through their careers, attempting to align their own values with those of the collective values within their profession. It is a conceptual paper. Findings – The authors explore the ideas through a Heideggerian reading of transdisciplinarity which the authors find helpful. Research limitations/implications – This is a conceptual paper and my therefore may suffers from lack of empirical evidence which the authors would consider helpful as the next stage of development Practical implications – Through the lens of an “I” and “we” framework introduced in the paper and the use of a professional doctorate, the authors discuss how a practitioner and profession’s values may be in tension. Social implications – There may be issues of professional engagement which will impact on the development of the professions themselves. Originality/value – The authors believe this to be an original approach to understanding professional and personal values in professional doctorates


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramesh P.S. ◽  
Muruga Lal Jeyan J.V.

Purpose This paper aims to evaluate the factors that dictate the design of a mini unmanned aircraft system (UAS). Design/methodology/approach This paper analyses various dimensions that dictate the design criteria for a mini UAS. Findings Compared to civil applications, design of mini UAS for military application is much more challenging owing to combat restrictions. Topics related to civil applications dominate research in the field of mini UAS, with over 60% of the papers accounting for civil applications. Limited published articles related to military applications are available. While 86% of the in-production mini UAS is primarily meant for military applications, only 9% of the research is devoted to military applications of mini UAS. Most mini UAS, although designed primarily for military applications, are also extensively used for various civil applications. Critical aspects that influence the employment of mini UAS in the tactical battlespace are area of interest, type of operation, type of operational tasks, terrain and network-centric operations. All these factors collectively impact the design of a mini UAS. Practical implications According to various studies, mini UAS is the fastest growing segment amongst all classes of UAS. This paper will provide vital inputs to the designers and manufacturers of mini UAS for both military and civil applications. Social implications Mini UAS are in the list of “must-have” for modern militaries across the world and is also growing exponentially in the civil domain. Therefore, it is important to understand the critical factors that dictate the design of mini UAS. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, such an analysis is not available in the open domain.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 41-43

Purpose The purpose of this research paper is to describe the planning, implementation and impact of “4 x 4 Training”, a programme for trainees in the chemical industry. Design/methodology/approach In all, 10 trainees, 36 internal trainers, and 10 mentors were involved in the programme, and data were collected by questionnaire assessing the trainees’ global development and the impact of training after six months. Findings On the Box and Off the Road stages were evaluated positively by trainees and mentors as was the challenge. Learning was considered to be bidirectional and trainees continued to improve over time continuing to seek support from their mentors. Practical implications To successfully implement programmes enabling transmission of know-how consideration needs to be given to organizational conditions with senior workers involved in the planning and development from an early stage. Transmission should take place through and during a real context work process with support from the mentor and the work team. Originality/value This paper has an original approach as it developed an innovative mentoring programme for new trainees in the chemical industry.


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