Autotuning Gain-Scheduled Controllers for UAVs

 Discover how to automate the tuning of gain-scheduled PID controllers for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft using Simulink®. We focus on a VTOL system that combines the unique flight modes of hover, fixed-wing flight, and the critical transition phase between them. Gain-scheduled PID controllers, commonly used in such applications, can be complex to design and tune manually across different operating points, especially for seamless transition control.

The demonstration highlights how the Gain-Scheduled PID Autotuner block in Simulink accelerates this tuning process. Instead of manually setting gains at multiple operating points, the Gain-Scheduled PID Autotuner block allows you to specify tuning parameters and perform closed-loop experiments by injecting signal perturbations into the system. Through frequency-response analysis, the block computes optimized PID gains for each operating point.

This automated approach helps save time and ensures consistent performance, making it ideal for VTOL applications where stability and control are paramount. The Gain-Scheduled PID Autotuner block is also deployable, supporting code generation for embedded hardware, which enables fine-tuning on physical systems or testbeds.

Related Resources:

Gain-Scheduled PID Autotuning a VTOL UAV During Forward and Backward Transition: https://bit.ly/3YSUF0O

Gain-Scheduled PID Autotuner: https://bit.ly/40KNn1J