Unit information: Drone Control, Systems and Applications in 2019/20

Unit name	Drone Control, Systems and Applications
Unit code	AENGM0058
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Tom Richardson
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Flight Dynamics & Control 2, AENG20001 & Sensors, Signals and Control, AENG31300
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Aerospace Engineering
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

Within this unit, students will bring together their knowledge of flight dynamics and control in the context of drone systems and applications. In additional to the legal requirements for drone operations, students will be introduced to the use of software simulation tools for flight planning and algorithm development. These will include examples of flight dynamics models, sensor models and control systems.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the unit students will:

• be aware of the legal requirements for drone operations

• be aware of typical drone systems and applications

• be able to conduct outline planning for a typical drone operation within UK airspace

• be able to use typical GCS software including the use of bespoke soft sensors

• be able to apply a typical route planning algorithm to a representative software simulation

• be aware of current drone research including bioinspired & control related.

Teaching Information

22 Lectures of 1 hour, including 2 lectures on the individual assignment.

Assessment Information

60% - 2 Hour Examination in May/June.

40% - Individual Coursework.

Reading and References

Beard & McLain, Small Unmanned Aircraft: Theory and Practice, 2012, Princeton University Press,

• Douglas et al, Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems, 2nd Edition, 2018, Taylor & Francis

• Stevens et al, Aircraft Control and Simulation: Dynamics, Controls Design, and Autonomous Systems, 2016, John Wiley & Sons

• Cook, M.V. Flight Dynamics Principles. Arnold, London, 2012.