Mathematical modelling and realization of flight trajectories for an intelligent fixed-wing solar-powered UAV

This paper presents detailed processing steps of how the flight trajectory is realized for an intelligent fixed-wing solar Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). It also covers the development of mathematical modelling of the flight trajectory using a three-dimensional aircraft manoeuvring control vector, defined by turn, altitude and velocity commands. For computation and implementation purposes, each of these commands is discretized into three sets of finite and equally-spaced feasible trajectory options, bounded by the solar aircraft performance limit. The aircraft lateral and longitudinal three degree-of-freedom kinematics and aerodynamics are modelled and used with the flight path holding controller to accept commands issued by the highlevel intelligent controller, and to simulate aircraft state response of the commanded trajectory. The flight conditions and physical dynamics and kinematics constraints of the fixed-wing solar-powered UAV are incorporated in simulating the flight trajectories.