Model Reference Adaptive Control Design for a Ducted Fan Air Vehicle in Vertical Plane

Ducted fan aerial vehicles have drawn many attentions in the world because of their successful involvement in non-traditional reconnaissance and surveillance missions. However, due to inherent dynamic uncertainties as well as inconsistent responses, significant control challenges are still to be addressed. In this study, a non-linear dynamic model for ducted fan is firstly proposed to be employed for control design. This model is then validated by performing a series of standard simulation scenarios. Afterwards, an adaptive control method, named as model reference is utilized to design perfect controllers in hover as well as vertical flight. The capability of the adaptive laws to update the controller gains are evaluated for different initial conditions and command inputs. The results show that the controller is well able to regulate the state variables as well as to follow the desired commands in the presence of dynamic coupling and aerodynamic uncertainties when the vehicle flies in vertical plane and near hover condition.