Automation of hardware-in-the-loop testing of control systems for unmanned air vehicles

Abstract

Modern computing advances allow the aerospace controls engineer the ability to design, test, and implement automatic control systems for air vehicles with breath taking speed and accuracy. This work examines the automation of the hardware-in-the-loop testing and implementation of autonomous controllers for Unmanned Air Vehicles. Extraordinary interest is generated in this subject considering automation results in hardware-in-the-loop testing within days of completing a controller design. The entire automation process is presented, from design of the controller to implementation on a particular control platform to hardware-in-the-loop testing of the controller. This accomplishes control design and implementation in a matter of months compared to a few years or more before automation.