Stochastic Controller Design for multi-rotor UAV under Intermittent Localization

Abstract

This paper presents a controller design for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) of multi-rotor type, where global positioning is only intermittently available. The developed controllers are of state-space/observer type with switching, where discrete modes are determined by the momentary availability of absolute geographical localization. Control design is based on a generalized concept of stochastic ϵ-moment stability and conducted towards optimal robustness towards measurement intermittency. A simplistic but frequently applied mechanical model of the UAV under control, as well as the onboard inertial measurement unit (IMU), is presented and used as a basis for the proposed design methodology. Test flight results are presented with artificial measurement intermittency demonstrating the robustness of the designed controller.