Rapid Prototyping of Micro Air Vehicle Control Systems

Abstract

*Technological progress in a number of areas including micro-electronics, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), power cells and propulsion systems are presenting the possibility for a new breed of flight systems known as Micro Air Vehicles (MAV). The unique characteristics of these small air vehicles present opportunities for their application to a range of both military and civil operations, generally focused on reconnaissance and surveillance tasks. In order to provide the necessary functionality in such vehicles, they will require autonomous functionality. Therefore control systems and autopilots will be required that have a high level of complexity. Conventional approaches to control system design have historically required comprehensive mathematical models, generally derived from extensive wind tunnel testing or computational fluid dynamics analysis. As such, the design processes involve high levels of investment which are unlikely to be forthcoming for future MAV concepts. Work at Blue Bear Systems Research has focused on the development of alternative physics based approaches to platform and control system design. Innovative methods for platform manufacture have been developed which enable much reduced cycle times from requirements capture, through design and manufacture to flight testing of new MAV configurations. The processes have been matured and demonstrated through the development of prototype airframes in the 25 to 40cm wingspan class, but are equally applicable to larger vehicles. Recent rapid advances in single board computers, (SBCs) and inertial sensors have also been exploited at BBSR in the design of a low-cost, sensor rich, miniature flight control system (FCS), which meets the volumetric and mass limitations of the prototype MAV platforms. The paper will describe a low-cost staged development approach using a larger scale aircraft for initial systems development and testing, followed by integration of the prototype MAV airframe, FCS and automated control laws to meet identified mission objectives.