Low-fidelity design optimization and development of a VTOL swarm UAV with an open-source framework

Abstract

Hybrid configurations in aircraft design are highly favorable as they can achieve the appropriate trade-offs required to develop a generalized unmanned aerial system (UAS). Rapid prototyping of such systems at the student level is challenging because commercial software is expensive and difficult to interlink with other tools for creating a multi-disciplinary design. We address this challenge by conceptualizing an aircraft design framework made entirely of open-source software, libraries, and in-house code. We then use this framework to design an all-electric unmanned aerial system with transitioning Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) and Fixed-Wing (FW) modes. The UAV is capable of long-range surveillance up to 100 Kilometers and carrying a maximum relief payload of 1 kg while operating in an ad-hoc wi-fi network with a swarm of similar UAVs. A low fidelity particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) and a comprehensive propulsion architecture is also incorporated and validated against commercial software. To validate the design, a prototype is fabricated from glass-fiber and XPS foam, integrated with appropriate sensors and tuned using ArduPilot software. The results show that low-fidelity design is a safe starting point for prototyping under constrained timelines. The study is concluded by discussing the technical challenges of using free software, and some practical considerations while flight testing a UAV with a hybrid configuration.