Testing and performance enhancement of a model-based designed ground controller for a diamond-shaped unmanned air vehicle (UAV)

At the Institute of Flight System Dynamics of the Technische Universität München (TUM), a digital flight control system for a fixed wing Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) featuring a novel diamond-shaped configuration is designed, implemented and tested up to its first flight. The capabilities of the UAV comprises a fully automated flight, including ground control for centerline tracking and runway alignment during automatic take-off and landing. This paper presents the testing and performance enhancement of a model-based designed ground controller for the diamond-shaped UAV. The focus is set on the challenges of testing the ground controller within the framework of an existing flight software and ground control station.