Keywords

autopilot, UAV, unmanned aircraft

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to describe the design and implementation of a small semi-autonomous fixed-wing unmanned air vehicle. In particular we describe the hardware and software architectures used in the design. We also describe a low weight, low cost autopilot developed at Brigham Young University and the algorithms associated with the autopilot. Novel PDA and voice interfaces to the UAV are described. In addition, we overview our approach to real-time path planning, trajectory generation, and trajectory tracking. The paper is augmented with movie files that demonstrate the functionality of the UAV and its control software.

Original Publication Citation

Randal W. Beard, Derek Kingston, Morgan Quigley, Deryl Snyder, Reed Christiansen, Walt Johnson, Timothy McLain, and Michael Goodrich. "Autonomous Vehicle Technologies for Small Fixed-Wing UAVs", Journal of Aerospace Computing, Information, and Communication, Vol. 2, No. 1 (2005), pp. 92-108. doi: 10.2514/1.8371

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2005-1

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/3434

Publisher

AIAA

Language

English

College

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology

Department

Electrical and Computer Engineering

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