JOURACA_SP_2017

Arduino Autopilot Design of
a Fixed Wing Aircraft
Jacob Magnin
This project demonstrated the viability of
using off-the-shelf microcontroller and sensor
equipment to create a customizable autopilot
system capable of controlling a fixed
-wing, remote controlled aircraft. By designing
an in house autopilot from mass
produced, readily available components,
researchers can have access to a highly customizable
system that could be modified to
meet the specific demands of individual research
projects more easily and cost effectively
than purchasing mass market autopilot
systems such as the 3DRobotics Pix-
Hawk autopilot. Results from this project
indicated that a system could be designed
that contained the capability of bringing an
aircraft to a desired pitch and bank angle,
regardless of the attitude of the aircraft prior
to the autopilot initiation. Additionally, the
data showed that the system could hold the
aircraft in this position, within a few degrees,
for as long as the autopilot was engaged.
Finally, the test flights proved a
switching circuit could be made that would
allow a pilot from the ground to select between
autopilot and manual modes. Overall,
this project forms the foundational structure
that a final, fully customizable, experimental
autopilot system can be built upon
and demonstrates the feasibility of creating
such a system using readily available and
affordable components.
Department I of Electrical and
Computer Enginnering
Electrical Engineering
Mentor: Dr. Carlos Montalvo
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