The University of Texas at Austin
College of Engineering

Research

Objectives

  • Distributed simulation: It is possible to implement the use of computational tools like Matlab and Labview over a network distributed simulation; allowing more processing power and real time simulation capacity for our large scale UAV models.

  • Flight formation simulation: Work with distributed simulation; flight formation can be simulated for each aircraft model inside the formation

  • Software and Hardware in the Loop Simulation (HILS and SILS): With DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) and ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) cards on a powerful computer or a PXI module, it would be possible to emulate signals from a model aircraft to a flight Control Computer for debugging of the flight control.

  • Navigation systems design validation and implementation: With new sensor technology like MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems), GPS and others, it will be possible to fuse this technologies through optimal estimation technique i.e. Using Extended Kalman Filters to obtain very solid performance navigation systems. This navigation-system could be modeled, simulated, and then implemented & validated using HILS and real flight data logs.

  • Flight Control Systems(FCS) design, validation, and implementation: With light weight, powerful, and low cost commercial off the shelf(COTS) computers that are available today , it is possible to implement a robust FCS, which will be modeled, simulated, and then implemented & validated using HILS and real airplanes.

  • Flight Simulation Visualizing: It is possible to make connect already existing flight simulation tools like X-Plane, Microsoft Flight Simulation or Flight Gear, and system level modeling software as Matlab in order to visualize both the flight environment and the aircraft at the same time.

  • Intelligent agents design: Once you have a good base controller, trajectory generator, and mission planning system on board, the next step will be to add intelligence to the UAV. This can be done using software agents, for example, which add reactive, and decision taking, abilities to the aircrafts.

  • Cooperative work between UVS (Unmanned Vehicle Systems): Another important suggestion, from the "OSD Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Roadmap 2002-2027," It consist in is cooperation between different unmanned systems. This objective could be achieved using the distributed simulation and validation with the remote control vehicles the University already has.

  • Control Techniques Research: Once platforms, navigation and control systems are implemented and properly working, it will be possible to prove new control techniques as Multirate or Nonlinear adaptive, State feedback Linearization, Model Predictive Control(?).etc. Simply logging into the flight control computer and uploading the new control laws designed will allow proving it with the help of the simulation tools.

  • Standardization: as it is stated in the Joint Architecture for Unmanned Systems web page, it is crucial to include standard practices in the development of any UAV project.

  • Flight Testing Techniques: As any aerial project, flight testing should be conducted. Based on systematic approach established in accordance with the standards (i.e. MILS-SPECS or FAA).