Keywords

state estimation, quadrotor, multirotor

Abstract

Multirotor helicopters are increasingly popular platforms in the robotics community. Making them fully autonomous requires accurate state estimation. We review an improved dynamic model for multirotor helicopters and analyze the observability properties of an estimator based on this model. The model allows better use of IMU data to facilitate accurate state estimates even when updates from a sensor measuring position become less frequent and less accurate. We demonstrate that the position update rate can be cut in half versus typical approaches while maintaining the same accuracy. We also find that velocity estimates are at least twice as accurate no matter what the position update rate.

Original Publication Citation

Macdonald, J., Leishman, R., Beard, R. and McLain, T. Analysis of an Improved IMU-based Observer for Multirotor Helicopters, Journal of Intelligent and Robotic Systems, DOI 10.1007/s10846-013-9835-5, May 2013.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2013-5

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/3420

Publisher

Springer

Language

English

College

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology

Department

Electrical and Computer Engineering

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