Experimental Stability Analysis of Vertical Takeoff and Landing System Based on Robust Control Strategy

The Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) system is a multi-variable system subjected to harsh weather conditions, which creates challenges in proving the stability of the system before takeoff, which is essential for a flight dynamics system. The presented research work is based on the experimental results of the VTOL system to investigate and prove the stability using Lyapunov theory. This is achieved by tracking the pitch along the x-axis using cascaded control and integral super twisting sliding mode control (ISTSMC) algorithms. The motor current of the propeller assembly is regulated based on proportional integral (PI) and proportional integral derivative (PID) controllers. The cascaded control shows the maximum tracking error due to high-frequency fluctuations in the controller input signal, which lead to expensive mechanical losses for the actuators. The comparison of the results shows that ISTSMC outperforms the cascaded control strategy by reducing the tracking error to less than 1% percent and reducing the high-frequency fluctuations in the controller input signal. The hardware results show a minor delay in the transient response during vertical takeoff due to the inertia of the system and the tracking error due to air friction, etc., of the external environment, compared to the simulation results obtained in MATLAB.

Automated summary

This study investigates and proves the stability of the Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) system using experimental results and Lyapunov theory. It compares the performance of cascaded control and integral super twisting sliding mode control (ISTSMC) algorithms, showing that ISTSMC outperforms the cascaded control strategy.