Small Unmanned Aircraft : Theory and Practice

Randal W Beard

ISBN 10: 0691149216 / ISBN 13: 9780691149219

Published by Princeton University Press Feb 2012, 2012

About this Item

Neuware - 'This book presents a unique and broad introduction to the necessary background, tools, and methods to design guidance, navigation, and control systems for unmanned air vehicles. Written with confidence and authority by leading researchers in the field, this effectively organized book provides an excellent reference for all those interested in this subject.'--Emilio Frazzoli, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Seller Inventory # 9780691149219

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Small Unmanned Aircraft : Theory and Practice
• Publisher: Princeton University Press Feb 2012
• Publication Date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0691149216
• ISBN 13: 9780691149219
• Binding: Buch
• Edition: 2nd Edition
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 261W x 187H x 25D millimeters 261 millimeters width by 187 millimeters height by 25 millimeters depth
• Weight: 821 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Autonomous unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) are critical to current and future military, civil, and commercial operations. Despite their importance, no previous textbook has accessibly introduced UAVs to students in the engineering, computer, and science disciplines--until now. Small Unmanned Aircraft provides a concise but comprehensive description of the key concepts and technologies underlying the dynamics, control, and guidance of fixed-wing unmanned aircraft, and enables all students with an introductory-level background in controls or robotics to enter this exciting and important area.


The authors explore the essential underlying physics and sensors of UAV problems, including low-level autopilot for stability and higher-level autopilot functions of path planning. The textbook leads the student from rigid-body dynamics through aerodynamics, stability augmentation, and state estimation using onboard sensors, to maneuvering through obstacles. To facilitate understanding, the authors have replaced traditional homework assignments with a simulation project using the MATLAB/Simulink environment. Students begin by modeling rigid-body dynamics, then add aerodynamics and sensor models. They develop low-level autopilot code, extended Kalman filters for state estimation, path-following routines, and high-level path-planning algorithms. The final chapter of the book focuses on UAV guidance using machine vision.


Designed for advanced undergraduate or graduate students in engineering or the sciences, this book offers a bridge to the aerodynamics and control of UAV flight.

About the Author

Randal W. Beard is a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Brigham Young University. He is the coauthor of Distributed Consensus in Multi-vehicle Cooperative Control.
Timothy W. McLain is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Brigham Young University.