Real-Time Trajectory Generation for Autonomous Nonlinear Flight Systems

摘要

Unmanned aerial vehicle and smart munition systems need robust, real- time path generation and guidance systems to avoid terrain obstructions, navigate in hazardous weather conditions, and react to mobile threats such as radar, jammers, and unfriendly aircraft. In Phase 1 of this STTR project, real- time path planning and trajectory generation techniques for two dimensional flight were developed and demonstrated in software simulation. In Phase 2 these algorithms were refined, extended and were demonstrated in flight on a unique low-cost micro-air vehicle with a payload which included three optical flow sensors, a laser ranger, and a video camera. This report is a comprehensive technical summary of the significant work completed in Phase 2 to enable development of autonomous flight control systems which are capable of accomplishing the complex task of path and trajectory planning in dynamic and uncertain environments.