Parameter Identification of Blimp Dynamics through Swinging Motion

Indoor miniature autonomous blimp (MAB) is a small-sized aerial platform with outstanding safety and flight endurance. A detailed six-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) dynamics model is critical for controller design and motion simulation. This paper presents the identification of the rotation-related parameters of the blimp dynamics model through swing motion of the robot. A pendulum-like grey box model is constructed to identify the parameters from physical measurements and system identification experiments. The pendulum-like dynamics model with identified parameters is then linearized for future controller design and validated with experimental data.