Hover control for a vertical take-off and landing vehicle

Date
2009-03
Authors
Wilson, John E.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
This thesis details the development and comparison of two linear control systems that performhover control for a vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicle. A non-linear mathematical model of the aircraft dynamics is developed. A classical successive loop closure control approach is presented, which applies static gains to the decoupled model around hover. A variable gain approach is presented using optimal control, which linearises the aircraftmodel around its state at fixed time steps. Simulation performance and robustness results are examined for both systems. Different aspects of both controller design processes and results are compared, including navigational performance, robustness and ease of use.
Description
Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
Keywords
Hover flight control, UAV flight control, Theses -- Electrical and electronic engineering, Dissertations -- Electrical and electronic engineering
Citation