Research Projects

Online system identification is a recently developed methodology, which is utilized for accurate estimation of the constant as well as time-varying flight parameters during nonlinear flight regime of unmanned aerial platforms. Flight system design based on online identification uses classical and stochastic estimation techniques depending on the degree of complexity of the aircraft aerodynamic modelling, changes in flight envelope during manoeuvers, parameter changes caused to the system due to damage or adverse environmental conditions. The proposed technique can be used as an input for designing reconfigurable flight control systems for fault conditions such as sensor/actuator malfunctioning, propulsion system failure or for a drastic change in flight parameters etc. to name a few. In this proposal, various scenarios of aircraft parameter variations are considered like high angle of attack and unstable aircraft modelling, onboard data compatibility analysis, fault diagnosis and identification for sensor and actuator faults, onboard performance estimation for propulsion system and distress situation created due to aircraft icing. A detailed solution using online system identification will be formulated and an experimental validation will be performed for the afore mentioned situations using unmanned aerial platforms.