Flight Control System for UAV: A Comprehensive Overview

The development of a reliable and efficient flight control system is crucial for the successful operation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). In recent years, significant advancements have been made in this field, with researchers exploring various techniques to improve trajectory tracking control. This article provides an overview of the current state of the art in flight control systems for UAVs, with a focus on the key technologies and challenges involved.

One of the primary concerns in designing a flight control system is the ability to effectively track non-linear trajectories. Ren et al. have addressed this issue by developing a six-state model that can be reduced from the original twelve-state model using altitude, heading, and velocity command inputs. Their approach involves implementing lateral path-following based on proportional-integral-derivative (PID) feedback in simulation.

Another important aspect of flight control is the ability to adapt to changing ground velocities, which are often caused by gust disturbances. Non-linear controllers can automatically adjust to these changes, providing good wind resistance characteristics for the UAV. The longitudinal control system employs traditional linear PID feedback to achieve the desired altitude, while lateral control uses a non-linear method to complete the desired trajectory.

The three-dimensional (3D) trajectory tracking control of a UAV can be divided into two main components: lateral control and longitudinal control. The proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control is adopted for stabilization and attitude control, with the trajectory tracking navigation loop serving as the outer loop of the attitude loop and the attitude control loop acting as the outer loop of the stabilization loop.

In addition to these technical considerations, the development of a flight control system must also take into account cost-effectiveness and practicality. To address this challenge, researchers have turned to low-cost micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensors, which have been successfully integrated into self-developed delta fixed-wing UAVs.

In conclusion, the development of an effective flight control system for a UAV requires careful consideration of both technical and practical factors. By leveraging advanced technologies such as non-linear controllers and MEMS-based autopilots, researchers can create systems that are not only efficient but also cost-effective and adaptable to changing conditions. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the key technologies and challenges involved in developing a flight control system for fixed-wing UAVs with low-cost MEMS sensors.

Flight control system uav