Quanser AERO

Quanser AERO: Advanced Controls Applications - Half-Quad

by Quanser Inc.

The Quanser Aero can be configured as a half-quadrotor helicopter to allow students to explore the control theories of this application. This collection of four labs guides students through modeling, PD control, state-feedback control, and attitude LQG design of a half-quadrotor system.

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students will learn control theory in the context of a half-quad helicopter.
Students will gain proficiency deriving equations of motion and transfer functions.
Students will gain first-hand experience simulating and experimenting with control theory applications.
Students will integrate LabVIEW, myRIO, and the Quanser Aero to design and implement a PD control and state-feedback control for a half-quadrotor system.

COURSE ALIGNMENT

Level	University
Topic	Controls
Style	Laboratory
Prerequisite Skills	Understanding of Controls, LabVIEW Experience

Included Course Labs

LAB 1: HALF-QUAD MODELING

This lab introduces students to the principles of modeling in control theory and its importance within engineering using the configuration of a half-quadrotor system. In the field of control systems, modeling is the established technique for initial control design allowing engineers to hone in on a set of control parameters, and test the predicted performance of the system. In this lab, students use LabVIEW to develop a model for the Quanser AERO’s thrusters to relate the voltage applied to the angular speed of the propellers for a half-quadrotor system.

LAB 2: HALF-QUAD PD CONTROL

In this lab, students will be exposed to some basic specifications for a half-quadrotor system, and learn how to design a controller to meet those specifications. In most systems, there are two types of control methodologies - open loop control and closed loop control. In the former, the control effort is proportional to the output variable. To automate this system, a feedback from the system can be used to modulate the control effort and bring the output variable to a setpoint or the desired value.

LAB 3: HALF-QUAD STATE-FEEDBACK CONTROL

In this lab, students will learn about the limitations of PID or PD control, and the benefits of an optimal controller such as the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR). Students will explore the Linear Quadratic Regulator State-Feedback Control with regards to the half-quadrotor Aero configuration in this lab.

LAB 4: HALF-QUAD ATTITUDE LQG DESIGN

In this lab, students will learn about the applications of an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), which is usually a combination of accelerometers and a gyroscope with coincident axes, and its drawbacks. Students will also be introduced to the Linear Quadratic Gaussian controller, a combination of an LQR to find the optimal control gains and a Kalman filter to estimate the state in a noisy system. Such a combination is common in various aerospace systems. In this lab, students will apply the concepts of the Linear Quadratic Gaussian controller to the half-quadrotor Aero configuration.

Requirements

myRIO

Provides reconfigurable I/O that allows you to teach and implement multiple design concepts with one device. Learn more

LabVIEW

LabVIEW is systems engineering software for applications that require test, measurement, and control with rapid access to hardware and data insights. Learn more

Quanser AERO

The Quanser AERO is a fully integrated lab experiment consisting of two propellers, powered by DC motors, designed for teaching mechatronics and controls concepts at the undergraduate level, as well as for advanced aerospace research applications. Learn more

DETAILED REQUIREMENTS

Required Software

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myRIO Software Bundle (2013 or later)
- LabVIEW (Requires license)
- LabVIEW Real-Time Module (Requires license)
- LabVIEW myRIO Toolkit
- LabVIEW Quanser Rapid Control Prototyping (QRCP) Toolkit
- LabVIEW Control Design and Simulation Module
- LabVIEW MathScript RT Module (only used in certain VIs)

Required Hardware

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myRIO - View Specifications
Quanser Aero - View Specifications

Resources

Related Resources

PREPARE

These labs prepare students with prerequisite skills.

Quanser AERO: Fundamentals of Controls

EXPLORE

These labs have related concepts that can expand student experience.

Quanser AERO: Advanced Controls Applications - 2-DOF Heli