{rfName}
Se

Indexed in

License and use

Citations

3

Altmetrics

Grant support

We would like to thank the University of Carlos III, campus Leganes, Madrid, for performing laboratories and hangers through our research. We would also like to thank our colleagues at Drone Hopper for their support during the project. This work was conducted to complete the doctoral project of Mohammad Sadeq Ale Isaac with the support of Professor Pascual Campoy, and Doctor Ahmed Refaat Ragab. This work was supported by the ULTRADRON Project, funded by CDTI under the call number PTAP-20231017, focused on "Enabling Technologies for an Intelligent Logistics Unit with Drone Technology" and by the project INSERTION ref. ID2021-127648OBC32,"UAV Perception, Control and Operation in Harsh Environments," funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under the program" Projects for Knowledge Generating."

Analysis of institutional authors

Isaac, Mohammad Sadeq AleCorresponding AuthorLuna, Marco AndrésAuthorCampoy, PascualCorresponding Author

Share

Publications
>
Article

Sensing and Control Integration for Thrust Vectoring in Heavy UAVs: Real-World Implementation and Performance Analysis

Publicated to:Unmanned Systems. - 2024-06-04 (), DOI: 10.1142/S2301385025500396

Authors: Isaac MSA; Peña PF; Luna MA; Ragab AR; Campoy P

Affiliations

Drone Hopper Co, Leganes 28919, Spain - Author
October 6 Univ, Fac Informat Syst & Comp Sci, Dept Network, Giza 12511, Egypt - Author
Univ Carlos III Madrid, Dept Elect Engn, Leganes 28919, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid UPM CSIC, Ctr Automat & Robot Car, Comp Vis & Aerial Robot Grp, Madrid 28006, Spain - Author

Abstract

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have garnered significant attention among researchers due to their versatility in diverse missions and resilience in challenging conditions. However, electric UAVs often suffer from limited flight autonomy, necessitating the exploration of alternative power sources such as thermal engines. On the other hand, managing thermal engines introduces complexities and internal uncertainties into the system. In this paper, an Adaptive Robust attitude controller (ARAC) is proposed to address these challenges by drawing inspiration from helicopter solutions while minimizing mechanical intricacies. Specifically, the designed algorithm employs Thrust Vector Control (TVC) for an industrial heavy Multi-Ducted Fan (MDF), known for its superior static stability compared to conventional ducted fans. Subsequently, an integrated flap vanes system is positioned at the exhaust of the ducts for precise attitude control, effectively removing unwanted yaw moments associated with traditional propellers. This research builds on prior authors' works to establish a proper mathematical and aerodynamic model. Also, using former simulation results to conduct real flight experiments aimed at enhancing TVC functionality. The findings highlight the effectiveness of this approach for heavy UAV applications. It is worth noting that the practical value of this research lies in its potential to significantly extend flight autonomy supplied by thermal engines and improve the resilience of UAVs in challenging real-world missions. This is particularly achievable provided that the design of flap vanes aligns closely with the dimensions of the duct system, offering a promising solution to a critical engineering challenge in the field of UAV technology.

Keywords

Adaptive sliding mode controlAerial vehicleAircraft controlAntennasAttitude controlControl integrationDesignDucted fanDuctsEnginesFlight autonomyFlight control systemsHeavy uavsHeavy unmanned aerial vehicleModeMulti-ducted faMulti-ducted fanRobust controlServo flap sensingSliding mode controlThermal enginesThrust vector controlUnmanned aerial vehicles (uav)Vector control (electric machinery)

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Unmanned Systems due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2024 there are still no calculated indicators, but in 2023, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Aerospace Engineering. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2025-06-15:

  • WoS: 1
  • Scopus: 2

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-06-15:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 5 (PlumX).

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Egypt.

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (ALE ISAAC KHOUEINI, MOHAMMAD SADEQ) and Last Author (CAMPOY CERVERA, PASCUAL).

the authors responsible for correspondence tasks have been ALE ISAAC KHOUEINI, MOHAMMAD SADEQ and CAMPOY CERVERA, PASCUAL.