Algorithm for evaluating the characteristics of the control system elements for the GrANT unmanned aerial vehicle

The relevance of this study stems from the growing demands for precision and fault tolerance in automatic control systems of small-scale unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines, particularly in the context of implementing the Russian Federation’s Strategy for the Development of Unmanned Aviation until 2035. Under intense vibrational loads, primarily low-frequency torsional oscillations, the accuracy of microelectromechanical inertial sensors degrades, vibration-induced gyro drift occurs, and onboard power supply system stability is disrupted – all of which directly reduce the reliability of automatic control systems and limit the application of unmanned aerial vehicles in high-precision tasks. In this regard, this article is aimed at the development and experimental verification of an algorithm for the objective quantitative evaluation of the characteristics of control system elements for GrANT unmanned aerial vehicles. This algorithm ensures the monitoring of key operating parameters of the compact MGW-4V gyrovertical and the autopilot board under operational vibration conditions, which is necessary for the objective assessment of the effectiveness of vibration protection measures and for improving the reliability of the control system. The paper presents a comparative analysis of the system’s characteristics before and after the implementation of a vibration reduction device designed to suppress torsional oscillations in the range most critical for micro-electromechanical sensors. The research methodology involved conducting a series of flight tests on GrANT-M unmanned aerial vehicles using a specialized procedure for testing the gyrovertical signal processing units, recording roll and pitch angles, initialization time and onboard power supply conditions. The obtained results demonstrate that the developed algorithm allows for the detection of a significant reduction in the «noise» level in angular orientation data and an improvement in the stability of the power supply system after the installation of the vibration protection device. The practical significance of the study lies in providing unmanned aerial vehicle developers with a validated tool for assessing and enhancing the accuracy of control systems operating under high vibration loads.

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