An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is an aircraft that is equipped with
necessary data processing units, sensors, automatic control and
communications systems, and is capable of performing autonomously flight
missions without a human pilot. Unmanned Rotorcraft Systems provides a
complete treatment of the design of fully autonomous miniature
rotorcraft UAVs. It is an integration of advanced technologies developed
in communications, computing and control areas. In particular, it
focuses on:
-the systematic hardware construction;
-software systems integration;
-aerodynamic modeling; and
-automatic flight control system design.
Emphasis is extended to the cooperative control and flight formation of
multiple UAVs, and vision-based ground target tracking and landing on
moving platforms. Other issues such as the development of GPSless indoor
micro aerial vehicles and vision-based navigation are also highlighted.
The proposed monograph aims to explore the research and development of
fully functional miniature UAV (unmanned-aerial-vehicle) rotorcraft.
This consists of a small-scale basic rotorcraft with all necessary
accessories onboard, and a ground station. The unmanned system is an
integration of advanced technologies developed in communications,
computing and control areas. It is an excellent testing ground for
trialing and implementing modern control techniques. It is however a
highly challenging process. The aerodynamics of a small-scale rotorcraft
such as a hobby helicopter are similar to its full-scale counterpart but
has some unique characteristics, such as the utilization of stabilizer
bar and higher main/tail rotors rotation speed. Besides these, the
strict limitation on payload also increases the difficulty on upgrading
a small-scale rotorcraft to a UAV with full capacities. Based on its
various characteristics and limitations, a light-weight but effective
onboard computer system with corresponding onboard/ground software
should be carefully designed to realize the system identification and
automatic flight requirements. These issues will be addressed in detail
in this monograph. Research on the following will be detailed:
-utilizing the vision-based system for accomplishing ground target
tracking;
-attacking and landing;
-cooperative control and flight formation of muitiple unmanned
rotorcraft;
-future research directions on the related areas.
The book will be a good reference for researchers and students working
on the related subjects. Unmanned Rotorcraft Systems will be of great
value to practicing engineers in rotorcraft industries and to
researchers in areas related to the development of unmanned systems in
general. It may be used as a reference for advanced undergraduate and
graduate students in aeronautics and astrinautics, electrical and
mechanical engineering.
