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Trajectory generation for autonomous soaring UAS

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journal contribution
posted on 2012-12-10, 14:01 authored by Jonty Clarke, Wen-Hua ChenWen-Hua Chen
As unmanned aerial vehicles are expected to do more and more advanced tasks, improved range and persistence is required. This paper presents a method of using shallow layer cumulus convection to extend the range and duration of small unmanned aerial vehicles. A simulation model of an X-models XCalubur electric motor-glider is used in combination with a refined 4D parametric thermal model to simulate soaring flight. The parametric thermal model builds on previous successful models with refinements to more accurately describe the weather in northern Europe. The implementation of the variation of the MacCready setting is discussed. Methods for generating efficient trajectories are evaluated and recommendations are made regarding implementation.

History

School

  • Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering

Department

  • Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering

Citation

CLARKE, J.H.A. and CHEN, W-H, 2012. Trajectory generation for autonomous soaring UAS. International Journal of Automation and Computing, 9 (3), pp. 248 - 256

Publisher

© Springer Verlag and Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Version

  • AM (Accepted Manuscript)

Publication date

2012

Notes

This article was published in the International Journal of Automation and Computing [© Springer Verlag and the Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences ]. The definitive version is available at: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11633-012-0641-5

ISSN

1476-8186

eISSN

1751-8520

Language

  • en