Research of Different Flight Controls and Methods for Quadrotor Aircraft

The rapid development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, particularly quadrotors, has led to their widespread use in small- to medium-sized applications. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of key flight control strategies for quadrotor UAVs, with a focus on their application in dynamic and complex environments, such as urban areas with tall buildings or forests with dense vegetation. The study discusses traditional methods such as Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control, which is widely used for its simplicity, alongside more advanced techniques like Model Predictive Control (MPC), Adaptive Control, and Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC). Additionally, data-driven approaches such as Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) are examined for their ability to adapt to unpredictable conditions, such as sudden changes in wind patterns or unexpected obstacles. Each method is analyzed in terms of its effectiveness in enhancing stability, tracking accuracy, and disturbance rejection, while also highlighting their respective computational requirements and limitations. Future trends, including the integration of hybrid control strategies and advancements in computational power, are explored to improve real-time decision-making and autonomy in UAVs. As the demand for UAVs grows in industries requiring precise and stable flight, further research into these control methods will be critical for advancing quadrotor technology.

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Publication Details

Journal
Applied and Computational Engineering
Published
2025-01-10
DOI
https://doi.org/10.54254/2755-2721/2025.20259
Primary Topic
Aerospace and Aviation Technology
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Research of Different Flight Controls and Methods for Quadrotor Aircraft

Xiaodan Huang
Applied and Computational Engineering
Aerospace and Aviation Technology
article

Research of Different Flight Controls and Methods for Quadrotor Aircraft

Xiaodan Huang
article en

Abstract

The rapid development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, particularly quadrotors, has led to their widespread use in small- to medium-sized applications. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of key flight control strategies for quadrotor UAVs, with a focus on their application in dynamic and complex environments, such as urban areas with tall buildings or forests with dense vegetation. The study discusses traditional methods such as Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control, which is widely used for its simplicity, alongside more advanced techniques like Model Predictive Control (MPC), Adaptive Control, and Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC). Additionally, data-driven approaches such as Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) are examined for their ability to adapt to unpredictable conditions, such as sudden changes in wind patterns or unexpected obstacles. Each method is analyzed in terms of its effectiveness in enhancing stability, tracking accuracy, and disturbance rejection, while also highlighting their respective computational requirements and limitations. Future trends, including the integration of hybrid control strategies and advancements in computational power, are explored to improve real-time decision-making and autonomy in UAVs. As the demand for UAVs grows in industries requiring precise and stable flight, further research into these control methods will be critical for advancing quadrotor technology.

Applied and Computational EngineeringVol. 127(1)
Shenzhen University (CN)
Sustainable cities and communities
Openalex Percentile: Top 99%
Aerospace and Aviation Technology
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