Enhancing quadcopter autonomy: implementing advanced control strategies and intelligent trajectory planning

Abstract

In this work, an in-depth investigation into enhancing quadcopter autonomy and control capabilities is presented. The focus lies on the development and implementation of three conventional control strategies to regulate the behavior of quadcopter UAVs: a proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller, a sliding mode controller, and a fractional-order PID (FOPID) controller. Utilizing careful adjustments and fine-tuning, each control strategy is customized to attain the desired dynamic response and stability during quadcopter flight. Additionally, an approach called Dyna-Q learning for obstacle avoidance is introduced and seamlessly integrated into the control system. Leveraging MATLAB as a powerful tool, the quadcopter is empowered to autonomously navigate complex environments, adeptly avoiding obstacles through real-time learning and decision-making processes. Extensive simulation experiments and evaluations, conducted in MATLAB 2018a, precisely compare the performance of the different control strategies, including the Dyna-Q learning-based obstacle avoidance technique. This comprehensive analysis allows us to understand the strengths and limitations of each approach, guiding the selection of the most effective control strategy for specific application scenarios. Overall, this research presents valuable insights and solutions for optimizing flight stability and enabling secure and efficient operations in diverse real-world scenarios.