Simulation and Longitudinal System Identification For Small Fixed Wing UAVs

Abstract

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are used in many fields such as construction surveying and farming. These aircraft are typically less than 75kg and can be as light as 1kg. Because of the small size of the aircraft, and the increasing interest in this field, research is conducted to both accurately simulate these aircraft and identify their aerodynamic parameters by means of a low-cost and easy to implement methods. The research presented in this thesis describes the development of a comprehensive UAV simulation. This simulation is aimed at developing and testing different system identification techniques on the longitudinal mode of the aircraft. Two identification methods are tested on the simulation. These identification techniques are then examined on flight test data of an actual aircraft. The methods work well on the simulation results; however, flight test were performed in unfavorable environmental conditions and did produced any useful results.