Generic UAV modeling to obtain its aerodynamic and control derivatives

Abstract

This thesis deals with two different software packages to obtain the aerodynamic and control derivatives for a generic unmanned air vehicle (UAV). These data has a dual application. Firstly, it is required in the Mathworks' Simulink 6-degree-of-freedom model of a generic unmanned air vehicle to develop a robust controller and do a variety of trade-offs. Secondly, is also needed to tune the parameters of the existing real-time controllers such as a Piccolo autopilot. The first approach explored in this thesis involves using the LinAir software program developed about a decade ago at Stanford University, the second one relies on the Athena Vortex Lattice package developed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The thesis applies two aforementioned packages to generate the aerodynamic data for two different-size UAVs, SIG Rascal and Thorpe Seeop P10B, emphasizing advantages and pitfalls of each approach, and further compares the obtained data with that of some other UAVs such as BAI Aerosystems Tern and Advanced Ceramics Corp. Silver Fox. The thesis ends with some computer simulations based on the obtained aerodynamic data.http://archive.org/details/genericuavmodeli109453817ST Aerospace Limited, Singapore author (civilian)