Model predictive control of an unmanned aerial vehicle

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to design a controller for the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Design/methodology/approach - In this study, the constrained multivariable multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) model predictive controller (MPC) has been designed to control all outputs by manipulating inputs. The aim of the autopilot of UAV is to keep the UAV around trim condition and to track airspeed commands. Findings - The purpose of using this control method is to decrease the control effort under the certain constraints and deal with interactions between each output and input while tracking airspeed commands. Originality/value - By using constraint, multivariable (four inputs and seven outputs) MPC unlike the relevant literature in this field, the UAV tracked airspeed commands with minimum control effort dealing with interactions between each input and output under disturbances such as wind.