Thrust Vectoring Control for Heavy UAVs, Employing a Redundant Communication System

Sensors (Basel). 2023 Jun 14;23(12):5561. doi: 10.3390/s23125561.

Abstract

Recently, various research studies have been developed to address communication sensors for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs). In particular, when pondering control difficulties, communication is a crucial component. To this end, strengthening a control algorithm with redundant linking sensors ensures the overall system works accurately, even if some components fail. This paper proposes a novel approach to integrate several sensors and actuators for a heavy Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Additionally, a cutting-edge Robust Thrust Vectoring Control (RTVC) technique is designed to control various communicative modules during a flying mission and converge the attitude system to stability. The results of the study demonstrate that even though RTVC is not frequently utilized, it works as well as cascade PID controllers, particularly for multi-rotors with mounted flaps, and could be perfectly functional in UAVs powered by thermal engines to increase the autonomy since the propellers cannot be used as controller surfaces.

Keywords: UAV; sliding mode; sommunication; thrust vectoring control.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Communication
  • Sports*
  • Unmanned Aerial Devices

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the European Commission-funded program WILDHOPPER, under H2020 Grant Agreement 880642.