Between Dec 19, 2024 and Jan 2, 2025, datasets can be submitted to DRUM but will not be processed until after the break. Staff will not be available to answer email during this period, and will not be able to provide DOIs until after Jan 2. If you are in need of a DOI during this period, consider Dryad or OpenICPSR. Submission responses to the UDC may also be delayed during this time.
 

Optimal UAV flights for seeability and endurance in winds.

2010-12
Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Persistent link to this item

Statistics
View Statistics

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Title

Optimal UAV flights for seeability and endurance in winds.

Authors

Published Date

2010-12

Publisher

Type

Thesis or Dissertation

Abstract

Video-equipped unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are highly useful in missions of surveillance, monitoring, and sensing. In these flights, the UAVs must maintain the ability to see the targets as well as to save energy for prolonged endurance. This paper examines basic patterns of UAV flights that can maximize its ability to “see” targets or seeability and/or minimize power consumptions to assist UAV mission planning. In this paper, a point-mass model is used to describe UAV motions. A seeability model is established that peaks when the UAV is flying at a certain angle from the normal vector perpendicular to the surface of the target. UAV flights are formulated as nonlinear periodic optimal control problems. The performance indices are selected to maximize the average seeability, to minimize the average power consumption, or to achieve a balance of the two. Motion constraints due to UAV performance capabilities and safety are imposed. The effects of different levels of constant wind velocities are considered. These nonlinear optimal control problems are converted into parameter optimization for numerical solutions. Extensive numerical solutions are obtained for UAV level flights with constant airspeeds and variable airspeeds, as well as three-dimensional flights. Clear tradeoffs between maximum seeability and minimum power are established.

Description

University of Minnesota M.S. thesis. December 2010. Major: Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics. Advisors: Yiyuan J. Zhao, William L. Garrard. 1 computer file (PDF); xii, 40 pages.

Related to

Replaces

License

Series/Report Number

Funding information

Isbn identifier

Doi identifier

Previously Published Citation

Other identifiers

Suggested citation

Guo, Wei. (2010). Optimal UAV flights for seeability and endurance in winds.. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/103263.

Content distributed via the University Digital Conservancy may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor. By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. Materials in the UDC may contain content that is disturbing and/or harmful. For more information, please see our statement on harmful content in digital repositories.