Dynamic Stability and Precision Maneuvering: Design and Implementation of an Embedded Flight Control System for Quadcopters with PID Control

Quadcopters and other multi-rotors have attracted significant attention in research due to their wide range of applications, such as surveillance, mapping, and delivery. However, quadcopters are inherently unstable, making the development of a fully autonomous flight controller a challenging task. In this study, a flight controller is developed using an 8-bit microcontroller, which is integrated with a 10 DOF IMU sensor, a Sharp IR sensor, and a GPS module. A custom-designed double-layer PCB, measuring 2.2 inches by 2.2 inches, incorporates all the components. A PID control strategy is implemented to ensure stability and smooth maneuverability of the multi-rotor. The system’s performance is tested through experiments, achieving RMSE values of 0.52 for roll and 0.49 for pitch in the autolevel position. The controller demonstrates a settling time of 8 samples (20 ms/sample) and an overshoot of 2 degrees. The results indicate that the proposed flight controller effectively stabilizes the system. Looking ahead, future research will focus on automating the PID tuning process through machine learning techniques, aligning with ongoing advancements in artificial intelligence for control systems.