Real‐time hardware simulation of a small‐scale helicopter dynamics

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a real‐time simulation environment for the validation of controller for an autonomous small‐scale helicopter.

Design/methodology/approach

The real‐time simulation platform is developed based on the nonlinear model of a series of small‐scale helicopters. Dynamics of small‐scale helicopter is analyzed through simulation. The controller is designed based on the extracted linear model.

Findings

The model‐based linear controller can be effectively designed and tested using real‐time simulation platform. The hover controller is demonstrated to be robust against wind disturbance.

Research limitations/implications

To use the real‐time simulation environment to test and validate controllers for small‐scale helicopters, basic helicopter parameters need to be measured, calculated or estimated.

Practical implications

The real‐time simulation environment can be used generically to test and validate controllers for small‐scale helicopters.

Originality/value

The paper presents the design and development of a low‐cost hardware in the loop simulation environment using xPC target critical for validating controllers for small‐scale helicopters.

Citation

Budiyono, A., Putro, I.E., Yoon, K., Raharja, G.B. and Kim, G.B. (2010), "Real‐time hardware simulation of a small‐scale helicopter dynamics", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 82 No. 6, pp. 360-371. https://doi.org/10.1108/00022661011104510