A brief History of Unmanned Aircraft
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A brief History of Unmanned Aircraft Technological Background Dr. B´ er´ enice Mettler University of Minnesota Jan. 22-24, 2012 (v. 1/15/13) Dr. B´ er´ enice Mettler (University of Minnesota) A brief History of Unmanned Aircraft Jan. 22-24, 2012 (v. 1/15/13) 1 / 15
Transcript of A brief History of Unmanned Aircraft
A brief History of Unmanned AircraftTechnological Background
Dr. Berenice Mettler
University of Minnesota
Jan. 22-24, 2012 (v. 1/15/13)
Dr. Berenice Mettler (University of Minnesota) A brief History of Unmanned Aircraft Jan. 22-24, 2012 (v. 1/15/13) 1 / 15
Lecture Outline and Objectives
Outline
Overview
Readings and Material
Dr. Berenice Mettler (University of Minnesota) A brief History of Unmanned Aircraft Jan. 22-24, 2012 (v. 1/15/13) 2 / 15
Introduction and Overview
Technological background of unmanned aircraft
What are the particular challenges–and opportunities–of small-scale unmannedaircraft
System’s perspective with a focus on dynamics and control
Dr. Berenice Mettler (University of Minnesota) A brief History of Unmanned Aircraft Jan. 22-24, 2012 (v. 1/15/13) 3 / 15
Historical Overview
Early attempts
Figure: Sperry aerial torpedo, 1918
Figure: Dayton-Wright Liberty Eagle
Figure: Curtiss remote control airplane
Figure: V-1 rocket bomb
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Historical Overview
Highlights and Lessons
Early Challenges
Auto-stabilized vs. remote control
Development of gyroscopic stabilizationand autopilot
Servo actuators
Wireless communication
Early Applications
Gliders
Target
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Early Technology
Figure: Early navigation sensor: Sperry’sgyrocompass
Figure: Navy’s wireless remote controlledelectric dog
Figure: Autopilot: Sperry fly-by Paris, 1914
Figure: Draper, inventor of inertial navigation
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V-2 Rocket: Advent of Autonomous Guidance
Roll, yaw and pitch gyros were used toprovide inertial reference and providethe control inputs needed to maintainthe roll, pitch and yaw and steer therocket on a desired flight path.
The gyro outputs were fed to thecontrol vanes.
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Dr. Berenice Mettler (University of Minnesota) A brief History of Unmanned Aircraft Jan. 22-24, 2012 (v. 1/15/13) 8 / 15
The V-2 is one of the first system that embodies the components necessary forautonomous flight. In particular the implementation of feedback stabilization andgyroscopic guidance.
Full, inertial navigation, where the gyroscopes are coupled to accelerometers, camewith Draper (today’s Draper Lab). Draper lab was the main designer of the Apolloguidance system and ballistic missiles.
The first era of autonomous vehicles is dominated by missiles.
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Drivers of today’s
Since about 2000 several technological
Computational
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), e.g., inertial sensors
Affordable due to the widespread use in automobiles, smart-phones, computers, etc.(economy of scale)
Grown into complex hybrid systems combining electrical, digital, mechanical,aerodynamic components.High-level of autonomy, robotic aircraft.
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Challenges and Opportunities
Challenges
Miniaturized aircraft
Small payload limits type and qualityof sensors
Wind magnitude can be as high asairspeed
Opportunities
Design does not have to accommodate forcrew:
Wide range of airframe types andconfigurations
No concerns for human physiologicallimitations and piloted handlingqualities
Design can emphasize taskrequirements
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Solution and Design Philosophy
Effective guidance and control laws: exploit maneuverability, reject/disturbances
Detailed understanding and modeling of the flight mechanics
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System’s Perspective
What it means?
Mathematical model of all components and aerodynamics
Integration of the components into a overall model
Simulation and analysis of the overall system behavior and performance
Insights can be used to modify characteristics of individual components
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System’s Perspective
Example General System Architecture
Note
Components can also include software, e.g. flight control laws
...
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References
For images and historical background see [1].
L.R. Newcome.Unmanned aviation: a brief history of unmanned aerial vehicles.Aiaa, 2004.
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