Investigation of Energy-Efficient UAV Control: Analysis of PID and MPC Performance

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are being applied in an increasing number of fields; however, their autonomous operation is associated with significant regulatory challenges. In this study, the performance of a PID and a Model Predictive Controller is compared based on the transfer function of the BLDC motor of a quadcopter using MATLAB simulations in the presence of white noise. The simulation results are used as reference values for measurements conducted on a cost-effective, custom-developed prototype drone. The prototype has been designed for short-duration hovering, allowing for an initial evaluation, but a more thorough analysis requires prolonged hovering tests to be carried out in an industrial environment. Based on the results, a recommendation is formulated for improving the PID controller to achieve performance closer to that of the MPC. The research is aimed at enhancing the energy efficiency of UAV systems and optimizing battery capacity, enabling longer autonomous flight time and more reliable control.