Neural Network-Based Path Planning for Fixed-Wing UAVs with Constraints on Terminal Roll Angle

This paper presents a neural network-based path planning method for fixed-wing UAVs under terminal roll-angle constraints. The nonlinear optimal path planning problem is first formulated as an optimal control problem. The necessary conditions derived from Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle are then esta...

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Main Authors: Qian Xu, Fanchen Wu, Zheng Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Drones
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/5/378
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author Qian Xu
Fanchen Wu
Zheng Chen
author_facet Qian Xu
Fanchen Wu
Zheng Chen
author_sort Qian Xu
collection DOAJ
description This paper presents a neural network-based path planning method for fixed-wing UAVs under terminal roll-angle constraints. The nonlinear optimal path planning problem is first formulated as an optimal control problem. The necessary conditions derived from Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle are then established to convert extremal trajectories as the solutions of a parameterized system. Additionally, a sufficient condition is presented to guarantee that the obtained solution is at least locally optimal. By simply propagating the parameterized system, a training dataset comprising at least locally optimal trajectories can be constructed. A neural network is then trained to generate the nonlinear optimal control command in real time. Finally, numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed method robustly ensures the generation of optimal trajectories in real time while satisfying the prescribed terminal roll-angle constraint.
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publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Drones
spelling doaj-art-9361afa5c2a44551977a6c0fb4fedf0d2025-08-20T01:56:16ZengMDPI AGDrones2504-446X2025-05-019537810.3390/drones9050378Neural Network-Based Path Planning for Fixed-Wing UAVs with Constraints on Terminal Roll AngleQian Xu0Fanchen Wu1Zheng Chen2School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, ChinaSchool of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, ChinaSchool of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, ChinaThis paper presents a neural network-based path planning method for fixed-wing UAVs under terminal roll-angle constraints. The nonlinear optimal path planning problem is first formulated as an optimal control problem. The necessary conditions derived from Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle are then established to convert extremal trajectories as the solutions of a parameterized system. Additionally, a sufficient condition is presented to guarantee that the obtained solution is at least locally optimal. By simply propagating the parameterized system, a training dataset comprising at least locally optimal trajectories can be constructed. A neural network is then trained to generate the nonlinear optimal control command in real time. Finally, numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed method robustly ensures the generation of optimal trajectories in real time while satisfying the prescribed terminal roll-angle constraint.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/5/378fixed-wing UAVneural networkpath planningPontryagin’s Maximum Principleparameterized system
spellingShingle Qian Xu
Fanchen Wu
Zheng Chen
Neural Network-Based Path Planning for Fixed-Wing UAVs with Constraints on Terminal Roll Angle
Drones
fixed-wing UAV
neural network
path planning
Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle
parameterized system
title Neural Network-Based Path Planning for Fixed-Wing UAVs with Constraints on Terminal Roll Angle
title_full Neural Network-Based Path Planning for Fixed-Wing UAVs with Constraints on Terminal Roll Angle
title_fullStr Neural Network-Based Path Planning for Fixed-Wing UAVs with Constraints on Terminal Roll Angle
title_full_unstemmed Neural Network-Based Path Planning for Fixed-Wing UAVs with Constraints on Terminal Roll Angle
title_short Neural Network-Based Path Planning for Fixed-Wing UAVs with Constraints on Terminal Roll Angle
title_sort neural network based path planning for fixed wing uavs with constraints on terminal roll angle
topic fixed-wing UAV
neural network
path planning
Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle
parameterized system
url https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/5/378
work_keys_str_mv AT qianxu neuralnetworkbasedpathplanningforfixedwinguavswithconstraintsonterminalrollangle
AT fanchenwu neuralnetworkbasedpathplanningforfixedwinguavswithconstraintsonterminalrollangle
AT zhengchen neuralnetworkbasedpathplanningforfixedwinguavswithconstraintsonterminalrollangle