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Link!: Potential Field Guidance Algorithm for In-Flight Linking of Multi-Rotor AircraftLink! is a multi-center NASA e ort to study the feasibility of multi-aircraft aerial docking systems. In these systems, a group of vehicles physically link to each other during flight to form a larger ensemble vehicle with increased aerodynamic performance and mission utility. This paper presents a potential field guidance algorithm for a group of multi-rotor vehicles to link to each other during flight. The linking is done in pairs. Each vehicle first selects a mate. Then the potential field is constructed with three rules: move towards the mate, avoid collisions with non-mates, and stay close to the rest of the group. Once a pair links, they are then considered to be a single vehicle. After each pair is linked, the process repeats until there is only one vehicle left. The paper contains simulation results for a system of 16 vehicles.
Document ID
20170006500
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Cooper, John R.
(National Inst. of Aerospace Hampton, VA, United States)
Rothhaar, Paul M.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
July 12, 2017
Publication Date
June 5, 2017
Subject Category
Aircraft Stability And Control
Report/Patent Number
NF1676L-27073
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA Aviation and Aeronautics Forum and Exposition (AIAA Aviation 2017)
Location: Denver, CO
Country: United States
Start Date: June 5, 2017
End Date: June 9, 2017
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 533127.02.30.07
OTHER: AERX220
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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