Disturbance-observer-based terminal sliding mode control of the quadrotor with thrust deviation fault

This paper presents a novel approach utilizing a sliding mode controller to control a quadrotor effectively in the presence of structural faults. While previous research has extensively explored fault-tolerant control for UAVs, particularly addressing faulty actuators and sensors, there remains a significant gap in addressing control methods for quadrotors experiencing structural faults. We focus specifically on scenarios where a fault in one of the quadrotor’s rotors diverts thrust from the vertical axis, complicating traditional control methods. Our proposed method involves two key steps: firstly, identifying the fault vector using a terminal sliding mode observer, and secondly, calculating appropriate control inputs using a sliding mode method based on the estimated fault vector. Simulation results demonstrate the robustness of this approach, showing accurate control performance even in the presence of multiple faults and disturbances. The system’s reliability hinges on the convergence of the disturbance observer’s estimation error to zero within a finite time frame. In conclusion, the developed controller offers a dependable solution for safely controlling a faulty quadrotor amidst high nonlinearity and uncertainty.