Date of Award:

5-2014

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Committee Chair(s)

R. Rees Fullmer

Committee

R. Rees Fullmer

Committee

Aaron Katz

Committee

YangQuan Chen

Abstract

Remote sensing has usually been done with satellites and manned aircraft. While they can be useful, satellites and manned aircraft have issues in how quickly you can get data, process it, and go back to get more data. Small low-cost unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) overcome these issues. To collect precise data a precise model of the UAV is needed to develop the autopilot, make sure the aircraft flies well, and does not break. One method of making a model is system identification (system ID). In this thesis system ID of a small low-cost fixed-wing T-tail UAV is done. The equations used to show how the aircraft moves are developed. The equations used to do the system ID are developed. Sensors and how the data is corrected are described. Results of two methods of system ID with flight data are shown. The model found from system ID fits for some of the data.

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