Application of Matlab to the vision-based navigation of UAVs

The application of Matlab to the vision-based navigation of unmanned aerials vehicles (UAVs) is investigated in this paper. Speaking of hardware implementation, researchers conventionally turn to the C code. However, it is usually not easy as dealing with sophisticated algorithms. Alternatively, we think Matlab an ideal candidate to navigate and control UAVs, not only because of its powerful functions on matrix operation and image processing, but also due to its capability of collaboration with hardware. In this research, the UAV is navigated with vision-based equipments, and Matlab is selected as the platform of development, from analysis to the whole hardware hierarchy. Two types of navigation problems are introduced as potential applications, and corresponding navigation laws are proposed taking Matlab into account. Experiments are also designed to examine the results, and processing time and successful rate are introduced as indices of performance. It is shown that Matlab and the proposed navigation laws are ideal platform and algorithms, respectively, to navigate UAVs.