Backstepping control with sliding mode estimation for a hexacopter

This paper presents the dynamic nonlinear model and the design of a controller for a hexarotor aerial robot. The control algorithm is based on the backstepping technique and it is applied to the trajectory tracking problem. The wind parameters resulting from the aerodynamic forces and moments acting on the hexacopter are estimated via a sliding mode observer with the super twisting algorithm in order to ensure robustness against aerial external disturbances and parameter variations. The performance and effectiveness of the proposed controller are tested in a simulation study taking into account external disturbances which are function of time.