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Cooperative Control of Multiple UAVs for Moving Source Seeking

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Abstract

Advances in multi-agent technologies and UAV technologies make it possible to take advantage of cooperation of multiple UAVs for source seeking. This paper focuses on moving source seeking using multiple UAVs with input constraints. Firstly, a least-squares method is introduced to estimate the gradient of the scalar field at the leader UAV location based on the measurements of all UAVs. Since the moving source velocity is unknown, an adaptive estimator is designed to obtain the velocity. Based on the estimated gradient and source velocity, a guidance law and a sliding mode based heading rate controller are proposed for the leader UAV to achieve level tracking. Heading rate controller for each follower UAV is also developed to achieve circular formation around the leader UAV. Furthermore, the gradient estimation error is analyzed and its influence on moving source velocity estimation and level tracking accuracy is explored as well. Finally, simulation results are provided to verify the proposed approach.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. EXQUISITUS, Centre for E-City, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 639798, Singapore, Singapore

    Senqiang Zhu & Danwei Wang

  2. DSO National Laboratories, INFO Division, Manned-Unmanned Programme, 27 Medical Drive, 117510, Singapore, Singapore

    Chang Boon Low

Authors
  1. Senqiang Zhu
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  2. Danwei Wang
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  3. Chang Boon Low
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Correspondence to Senqiang Zhu.

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Zhu, S., Wang, D. & Low, C.B. Cooperative Control of Multiple UAVs for Moving Source Seeking. J Intell Robot Syst 74, 333–346 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10846-013-9899-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10846-013-9899-2

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