System identification and control of fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicles

MicroPilot, a company located in Manitoba, is specialized in design and manufacturing of autopilot systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The company’s interest is to develop accurate simulation models of various UAVs, upon which the autopilot systems are tuned and verified first. The goal of this project is to evaluate and improve the model structure adopted, and develop appropriate tools for extracting accurate models to be used by the simulation. The challenge is to find tools that allow model parameters to be adequately identified, given minimum flight test data and limited sensory information. The outcome of this project will provide MicroPilot with a technology for enhanced control of various classes of UAVs. Accurate model identification is essential to optimize the design of the autopilot systems without excessive flight tests. This in turn will reduce the manufacturing expenses, allowing MicroPilot to compete stronger with its competitors.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Nariman Sepehri

Student:

KaiwenXu & Divyarajsinh RaoI

Partner:

MicroPilot

Discipline:

Engineering - mechanical

Sector:

Aerospace and defense

University:

University of Manitoba