Nonlinear Mathematical Modeling and Robust Control of UAV Formation Under Parametric Variations and External Disturbances

This paper introduces a robust formation control strategy for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) designed to maintain coordinated trajectories and relative positioning in three-dimensional space. The proposed methodology addresses the challenges of parametric uncertainties and external disturbances by...

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Main Authors: Claudia Verónica Vera Vaca, Stefano Di Gennaro, Claudia Carolina Vaca García, Cuauhtémoc Acosta Lúa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Mathematics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/13/9/1520
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author Claudia Verónica Vera Vaca
Stefano Di Gennaro
Claudia Carolina Vaca García
Cuauhtémoc Acosta Lúa
author_facet Claudia Verónica Vera Vaca
Stefano Di Gennaro
Claudia Carolina Vaca García
Cuauhtémoc Acosta Lúa
author_sort Claudia Verónica Vera Vaca
collection DOAJ
description This paper introduces a robust formation control strategy for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) designed to maintain coordinated trajectories and relative positioning in three-dimensional space. The proposed methodology addresses the challenges of parametric uncertainties and external disturbances by employing a backstepping-based framework with integrated proportional-integral virtual controls. The control strategy stabilizes tracking errors in the <i>x</i>, <i>y</i>, and <i>z</i> axes, ensuring that the UAVs maintain a cohesive formation even in the presence of dynamic model variations and environmental perturbations. The approach combines dynamic models of UAV motion, incorporating translational and rotational behaviors, with a decomposition of relative distances in the leader’s local reference frame to ensure precise formation control. This framework enhances stability, trajectory tracking, and disturbance rejection. Validation through MATLAB-Simulink simulations demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed strategy, showcasing its ability to maintain formation and trajectory adherence under diverse operating conditions. The results emphasize the robustness and flexibility of the control approach, making it suitable for demanding applications requiring precise multi-UAV coordination.
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issn 2227-7390
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spelling doaj-art-4f9d0fbaa35440a997eb10f0799574482025-08-20T02:58:47ZengMDPI AGMathematics2227-73902025-05-01139152010.3390/math13091520Nonlinear Mathematical Modeling and Robust Control of UAV Formation Under Parametric Variations and External DisturbancesClaudia Verónica Vera Vaca0Stefano Di Gennaro1Claudia Carolina Vaca García2Cuauhtémoc Acosta Lúa3Centro Universitario de la Ciénega, Universidad de Guadalajara, Ocotlán 47820, Jalisco, MexicoDepartment of Information Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics of University of L’Aquila, Coppito, 67100 L’Aquila, ItalyCentro Universitario de la Ciénega, Universidad de Guadalajara, Ocotlán 47820, Jalisco, MexicoCentro Universitario de la Ciénega, Universidad de Guadalajara, Ocotlán 47820, Jalisco, MexicoThis paper introduces a robust formation control strategy for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) designed to maintain coordinated trajectories and relative positioning in three-dimensional space. The proposed methodology addresses the challenges of parametric uncertainties and external disturbances by employing a backstepping-based framework with integrated proportional-integral virtual controls. The control strategy stabilizes tracking errors in the <i>x</i>, <i>y</i>, and <i>z</i> axes, ensuring that the UAVs maintain a cohesive formation even in the presence of dynamic model variations and environmental perturbations. The approach combines dynamic models of UAV motion, incorporating translational and rotational behaviors, with a decomposition of relative distances in the leader’s local reference frame to ensure precise formation control. This framework enhances stability, trajectory tracking, and disturbance rejection. Validation through MATLAB-Simulink simulations demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed strategy, showcasing its ability to maintain formation and trajectory adherence under diverse operating conditions. The results emphasize the robustness and flexibility of the control approach, making it suitable for demanding applications requiring precise multi-UAV coordination.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/13/9/1520robust controlformation controlUnmanned Aerial Vehiclesdisturbances estimation
spellingShingle Claudia Verónica Vera Vaca
Stefano Di Gennaro
Claudia Carolina Vaca García
Cuauhtémoc Acosta Lúa
Nonlinear Mathematical Modeling and Robust Control of UAV Formation Under Parametric Variations and External Disturbances
Mathematics
robust control
formation control
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
disturbances estimation
title Nonlinear Mathematical Modeling and Robust Control of UAV Formation Under Parametric Variations and External Disturbances
title_full Nonlinear Mathematical Modeling and Robust Control of UAV Formation Under Parametric Variations and External Disturbances
title_fullStr Nonlinear Mathematical Modeling and Robust Control of UAV Formation Under Parametric Variations and External Disturbances
title_full_unstemmed Nonlinear Mathematical Modeling and Robust Control of UAV Formation Under Parametric Variations and External Disturbances
title_short Nonlinear Mathematical Modeling and Robust Control of UAV Formation Under Parametric Variations and External Disturbances
title_sort nonlinear mathematical modeling and robust control of uav formation under parametric variations and external disturbances
topic robust control
formation control
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
disturbances estimation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/13/9/1520
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AT stefanodigennaro nonlinearmathematicalmodelingandrobustcontrolofuavformationunderparametricvariationsandexternaldisturbances
AT claudiacarolinavacagarcia nonlinearmathematicalmodelingandrobustcontrolofuavformationunderparametricvariationsandexternaldisturbances
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