Automating Human Thought Processes for a UAV Forced Landing

Abstract

This paper describes the current status of a program to develop an automated forced landing system for a fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). This automated system seeks to emulate human pilot thought processes when planning for and conducting an engine-off emergency landing. Firstly, a path planning algorithm that extends Dubins curves to 3D space is presented. This planning element is then combined with a nonlinear guidance and control logic, and simulated test results demonstrate the robustness of this approach to strong winds during a glided descent. The average path deviation errors incurred are comparable to or even better than that of manned, powered aircraft. Secondly, a study into suitable multi-criteria decision making approaches and the problems that confront the decision-maker is presented. From this study, it is believed that decision processes that utilize human expert knowledge and fuzzy logic reasoning are most suited to the problem at hand, and further investigations will be conducted to identify the particular technique/s to be implemented in simulations and field tests. The automated UAV forced landing approach presented in this paper is promising, and will allow the progression of this technology from the development and simulation stages through to a prototype system.

A multi-layered approach for site detection in UAS emergency landing scenarios using geometry-based image segmentation

“…The most notable contributions have been reported in [6], [4], [7], [8], [9], [10] and [11]. To date, contributions have been made in related applications such as vision-based landing.…”

Minimum-time open-loop and closed-loop optimal guidance with GA-PSO and neural fuzzy for Samarai MAV flight

“…Eng et al described the status of a program to develop an automated landing system for UAVs. From their studies, it is assumed that decision processes were constructed to utilize human expert knowledge and fuzzy logic [9]. In 2010, Paw and Balas presented an integrated framework for the SUAVs' flight control development.…”

Rescue Mission Designing for Lifesaving Based on a New Aerial Vehicle Based on Imperialist Competition Algorithm

“…Eng et al described the status of a program to develop an automated landing system for UAVs. From their studies, it was believed that the decision processes were considered to utilize human expert knowledge and fuzzy logic [4]. In 2010, Paw and Balas presented an integrated framework for small unmanned aerial vehicles flight control development [5].…”