Authors:
Sérgio Vinha
;
Gabriel Fernandes
;
Manuel Fernandes
;
Huu Nguyen
and
Fernando A. C. C. Fontes
Affiliation:
SYSTEC-ISR-ARISE, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Keyword(s):
Airplane Control, Tethered Aircraft, Automatic Take-off and Landing, Circular Take-off and Landing, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Airborne Wind Energy.
Abstract:
This article addresses the control of tethered aircraft with fixed wings during take-off and landing maneuvers with a circular motion, particularly focusing on controlling the aircraft’s roll attitude. The tether forces acting on the aircraft make the roll control, in some operating regions, particularly challenging or even impossible when just ailerons are used. We describe a novel bridle system to actuate on the roll angle, the development of a controller for such a device, and its integration in the overall take-off and landing control architecture. Simulation results are reported, showing the adequacy of the approach. Further analysis identifies operational regions where it is possible to have a tethered flight or a coordinated turn flight as a function of the tether length and of the aircraft’s height.