Fixed-wing UAV with transitioning flight capabilities : Model-Based or Model-Free Control approach? A preliminary study

Abstract

Transitioning vehicles experience three different flight phases during typical missions. The hovering and forward flight phases have been researched widely, however the transition phase in between is more challenging and has been the subject of less research. One of the control approaches to handle the transition phase relies on model-based methods which require sophisticated wind-tunnel characterization. Accurate modeling of force and moments of a partially stalled wing and control surfaces is highly challenging and time consuming. In addition, these models usually require several flight measurements (such as angle of attack and low airspeed) that are difficult to obtain. As an alternative, some control approaches manage the transition phase without the need for sophisticated models. One example of such an approach is the Model Free Control (MFC). This paper compares the results obtained from both MFC and Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) applied to fixed-wing UAV with transitioning flight capability during hovering, transition and forward flight modes. Both of the controllers are designed for a transitioning vehicle called MAVion. The simulation results demonstrated that MFC increases the stability of the aircraft, especially in disturbed flight conditions.

Implementasi dan Uji Kinerja Kontrol PID untuk kestabilan Pesawat Tanpa Awak Tailsitter pada Keadaan Mengambang

“…Salah satu solusinya adalah pesawat tail-sitter yang merupakan penggabungan antara pesawat tanpa awak berjenis rotary wing dan fixed wing [3 -5]. Penggabungan dua jenis pesawat tanpa awak ini bertujuan untuk menciptakan sebuah pesawat tanpa awak yang lebih andal, salah satu contoh keunggulan dari tail-sitter ini yaitu bisa melakukan lepas landas dan mendarat di area yang terbatas [6], [7]. System ini melakukan lepas landas secara vertikal lalu fase mengambang seperti pesawat tanpa awak rotary wing hingga kemudian terbang secara horizontal layaknya fixed wing, lalu mendarat secara vertikal kembali seperti diilustrasikan pada gambar 1.…”

Model-free control algorithms for micro air vehicles with transitioning flight capabilities

“…Depending upon the mission complexity and its requirements, the MAV should fly at low and high air speeds, respectively corresponding to hovering and forward flight phase. Based on these mission requirements, and the modeling issue presented in the previous section involving this particular MAV class, we present a part of our previous work that deals with: comparison between a model-based controller and our MFC architecture during the transition flight in a disturbed environment; 37 uncertain parameter analysis of fixed-wing MAVs in forward flight; 38 full MFC architecture for position tracking, velocity control and attitude stabilization of a hybrid MAV during its entire flight envelope; 39 …”

“…comparison between a model-based controller and our MFC architecture during the transition flight in a disturbed environment; 37…”

Bullwhip effect attenuation in supply chain management via control-theoretic tools and short-term forecasts: A preliminary study with an application to perishable inventories

“…The indisputable practical successes (see [2], [11], the numerous references therein, and [3], [6], [12], [13], [14], [39], [47], [50], [53], [54], [74], [58], [59], [66], [71], [83], [84]) of model-free control [29] explains why it has already been summarized recently many times: [5], [8], [11], [30], [50]. It will therefore not be repeated here.…”