Reverse engineering of a fixed wing Unmanned Aircraft 6-DoF model based on laser scanner measurements

Martin Burston, Roberto Sabatini, Alessandro Gardi, Reece Clothier

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper describes a method for deriving six-degree-of-freedom (6-DoF) aircraft dynamics parameters adopting reverse engineering techniques from three dimensional (3D) laser scanner measurements. In particular, the mass and aerodynamic properties of the JAVELIN Unmanned Aircraft (UA) are determined using accurate measurements from the 3D scanner and successive CAD processing of the geometric data. In order to qualitatively assess the calculated 6-DoF, the trajectory for the spiral mode excited by the engine torque of this UA is simulated and compared to that of a published 6-DoF of the popular AEROSONDE UA which has very similar geometry. Additionally, to further confirm the validity of the approach, the reverse engineering procedure is applied to a published CAD model of the AEROSONDE UA and the associated 6-DoF parameters are calculated. Using these parameters, a spiral descent trajectory is generated using both the published and calculated parameters. The trajectories match closely, providing a good qualitative verification of the reverse engineering method. In future research, the accurate knowledge of the 6-DoF dynamics will enable the development of an Aircraft Dynamics Model (ADM) virtual sensor to augment the UA navigation system in case of primary navigation sensor outages. Additionally, further refinement of the calculated 6-DoF will involve wind tunnel and flight testing activities.

Original languageBritish English
Title of host publication2014 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Aerospace, MetroAeroSpace 2014 - Proceedings
PublisherIEEE Computer Society
Pages144-149
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)9781479920693
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
Event2014 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Aerospace, MetroAeroSpace 2014 - Benevento, Italy
Duration: 29 May 201430 May 2014

Publication series

Name2014 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Aerospace, MetroAeroSpace 2014 - Proceedings

Conference

Conference2014 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Aerospace, MetroAeroSpace 2014
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityBenevento
Period29/05/1430/05/14

Keywords

  • 6-DOF
  • flight dynamics
  • laser scanner
  • reverse engineering
  • unmanned aircraft

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