Attitude Tracking Control for VTOL Aircraft with Uncertain Disturbances based on Adaptive Neural Network ADRC Method

In this paper, the problem of attitude tracking control for a class of vertical take-off landing (VTOL) aircraft in the presence of uncertain disturbances is addressed. The active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) method is utilized to address uncertain disturbances, while the radial basis function (RBF) neural network is considered for handling unknown nonlinear dynamics. By incorporating a modified tracking differentiator, a nonlinear state error feedback controller, and an extended state observer, the disturbance observation problem in the aircraft system is solved. These disturbances, seen as a combined disturbance in the aircraft system, are counteracted through the extended state observer. Furthermore, the unknown nonlinear dynamics within the aircraft system are approximated using the RBF neural network. Subsequently, the paper suggests adaptive ADRC strategies based on neural network and formulates adaptive control laws to estimate unknown parameters. The Lyapunov stability theory proves the effectiveness of the proposed control strategies. The simulation results show that the attitude tracking control problem of VTOL aircraft can be achieved under the proposed control strategies and adaptive control laws.