Course "Navigation and Control of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): A Comprehensive Approach" - Prof. Dr. Kimon P. Valavanis

Programma

• 8 Maggio h.9.00-12.00
• 9 Maggio h.9.00-12.00
• 10 Maggio h.9.00-12.00
• 11 Maggio h.9.00-12.00
• 14 Maggio h.9.00-12.00
• 15 Maggio h.9.00-12.00
• 17 Maggio h.9.00-12.00

1. To provide a comprehensive study of unmanned fixed-wing and rotorcraft navigation and control techniques, including a review of kinematics, dynamics and equations of motion, sensors, identification, controller design and implementation, as well as advances in unmanned aviation technology. A very detailed presentation of linear, linearized, nonlinear and soft-computing based controller designs are discussed, the focus being on helicopter and fixed-wing navigation and control designs. A comprehensive comparison of advantages and limitations of implemented techniques follows, subsequently introducing a generalized ‘one-fits-all’ flight control system (FCS) in which the specific controller design approach is a plug-in-plug-out module. Implementation details and how to guarantee task execution given strict timing requirements is detailed. Case studies include simulation and experimental results for several prototype UAVs.
2. To present a detailed methodology for designing and navigating/controlling a new type of fixed-wing aircraft with enhanced aerodynamic performance based on the concept of Circulation Control, which allows for lift enhancement, reduced takeoff and landing distance, delayed stall and increased effective payload. CC based aircraft design is followed by controller design that also includes identification of stability and control derivatives. Simulation results, experimental/wind-tunnel and flight tests validate and verify the proposed methodology. Consequently, a general framework for controller design of a class of nonlinear systems with unstructured, time-varying uncertainties (aerodynamic uncertainties) is proposed, supported by obtained results.