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Analysis of institutional authors

Ale Isaac MsAuthorLuna MaAuthorKalra RAuthorCampoy PAuthorMolina MCorresponding Author

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October 10, 2022
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Article

Medium-Scale UAVs: A Practical Control System Considering Aerodynamics Analysis

Publicated to:Drones. 6 (9): 244- - 2022-09-01 6(9), DOI: 10.3390/drones6090244

Authors: Isaac, Mohammad Sadeq Ale; Luna, Marco Andres; Ragab, Ahmed Refaat; Khoeini, Mohammad Mehdi Ale Eshagh; Kalra, Rupal; Campoy, Pascual; Pena, Pablo Flores; Molina, Martin

Affiliations

Drone Hopper Co, Leganes 28919, Spain - Author
Istanbul Aydin Univ, Dept Business Adm, TR-34295 Istanbul, Turkey - Author
İstanbul Aydın Üniversitesi - Author
İstanbul Aydın Üniversitesi , Drone-Hopper Company - Author
October 6 Univ, Dept Network, Fac Informat Syst & Comp Sci, Giza 12511, Egypt - Author
October 6 University , Universidad Carlos III de Madrid , Drone-Hopper Company - 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
Univ Politecn Madrid, Dept Aerosp Engn, E-28040 Madrid, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Dept Artificial Intelligence, E-28040 Madrid, Spain - Author
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid - Author
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid , Drone-Hopper Company - Author
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid , Wake Engineering Company - Author
Wake Engn Co, Getafe 28906, Spain - Author
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Abstract

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have drawn significant attention from researchers over the last decade due to their wide range of possible uses. Carrying massive payloads concurrent with light UAVs has broadened the aeronautics context, which is feasible using powerful engines; however, it faces several practical control dilemmas. This paper introduces a medium-scale hexacopter, called the Fan Hopper, alimenting Electric Ducted Fan (EDF) engines to investigate the optimum control possibilities for a fully autonomous mission carrying a heavy payload, even of liquid materials, considering calculations of higher orders. Conducting proper aerodynamic simulations, the model is designed, developed, and tested through robotic Gazebo simulation software to ensure proper functionality. Correspondingly, an Ardupilot open source autopilot is employed and enhanced by a model reference adaptive controller (MRAC) for the attitude loop to stabilize the system in case of an EDF failure and adapt the system coefficients when the fluid payload is released. Obtained results reveal less than a 5% error in comparison to desired values. This research reveals that tuned EDFs function dramatically for large payloads; meanwhile, thermal engines could be substituted to maintain much more flight endurance.

Keywords

adaptive controlmotor failurepayload carriageAdaptive controlFlightMedium-scale uavMotor failurePayload carriage

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Drones due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2022, it was in position 14/34, thus managing to position itself as a Q2 (Segundo Cuartil), in the category Remote Sensing.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 3.16, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Oct 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-10-09, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 7
  • Scopus: 10
  • Google Scholar: 7

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 2025-10-09:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 10.
  • 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: 9 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 0.25.
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 1 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

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

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 (MOLINA GONZALEZ, MARTIN).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been MOLINA GONZALEZ, MARTIN.