This paper presents a novel approach to collision and obstacle avoidance in fixed-wing unmanned aerial systems (UASs), vehicles with high speed and high inertia, operating in proximal or congested settings. A unique reformulation of classical artificial potential field (APF) navigational approaches, adaptively morphing the functions' shape considering six-degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) dynamic characteristics and constraints of fixed-wing aircraft, is fitted to an online predictive and prioritized waypoint planning algorithm for generation of evasive paths during abrupt encounters. The time-varying waypoint horizons output from the navigation unit are integrated into a combined guidance and nonlinear model predictive control scheme. Real-time avoidance capabilities are demonstrated in full nonlinear 6DOF simulation of a large unmanned aircraft showcasing evasion efficiency with respect to classical methods and collision free operation in a congested urban scenario.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
January 2015
Technical Briefs
Collision and Obstacle Avoidance in Unmanned Aerial Systems Using Morphing Potential Field Navigation and Nonlinear Model Predictive Control
Thomas J. Stastny,
Thomas J. Stastny
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
e-mail: tstastny@ku.edu
The University of Kansas
,Lawrence, KS 66045
e-mail: tstastny@ku.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
Gonzalo A. Garcia,
Gonzalo A. Garcia
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
e-mail: gagarcia@ku.edu
The University of Kansas
,Lawrence, KS 66045
e-mail: gagarcia@ku.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
Shawn S. Keshmiri
Shawn S. Keshmiri
Assistant Professor
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
e-mail: keshmiri@ku.edu
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
The University of Kansas
,Lawrence, KS 66045
e-mail: keshmiri@ku.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
Thomas J. Stastny
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
e-mail: tstastny@ku.edu
The University of Kansas
,Lawrence, KS 66045
e-mail: tstastny@ku.edu
Gonzalo A. Garcia
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
e-mail: gagarcia@ku.edu
The University of Kansas
,Lawrence, KS 66045
e-mail: gagarcia@ku.edu
Shawn S. Keshmiri
Assistant Professor
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
e-mail: keshmiri@ku.edu
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
The University of Kansas
,Lawrence, KS 66045
e-mail: keshmiri@ku.edu
Contributed by the Dynamic Systems Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF DYNAMIC SYSTEMS, MEASUREMENT, AND CONTROL. Manuscript received July 24, 2013; final manuscript received July 1, 2014; published online August 28, 2014. Assoc. Editor: Yongchun Fang.
J. Dyn. Sys., Meas., Control. Jan 2015, 137(1): 014503 (10 pages)
Published Online: August 28, 2014
Article history
Received:
July 24, 2013
Revision Received:
July 1, 2014
Citation
Stastny, T. J., Garcia, G. A., and Keshmiri, S. S. (August 28, 2014). "Collision and Obstacle Avoidance in Unmanned Aerial Systems Using Morphing Potential Field Navigation and Nonlinear Model Predictive Control." ASME. J. Dyn. Sys., Meas., Control. January 2015; 137(1): 014503. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4028034
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Fault detection of automotive engine system based on Canonical Variate Analysis combined with Bhattacharyya Distance
J. Dyn. Sys., Meas., Control
Multi Combustor Turbine Engine Acceleration Process Control Law Design
J. Dyn. Sys., Meas., Control (July 2025)
Related Articles
Distributed Model Predictive Control for Connected and Automated Vehicles in the Presence of Uncertainty
J. Auton. Veh. Sys (January,2022)
Fast Data-Driven Model Predictive Control Strategy for Connected and Automated Vehicles
Letters Dyn. Sys. Control (October,2021)
Predictive Control for Manual Plasma Arc Pipe Welding
J. Manuf. Sci. Eng (August,2014)
Measurement-Level Integration of Carrier-Phase GPS and Laser-Scanner for Outdoor Ground Vehicle Navigation
J. Dyn. Sys., Meas., Control (March,2009)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Using Neural Networks for Dynamic Vehicle Navigation Using Integrated GNSS / INS Your Romania
International Conference on Instrumentation, Measurement, Circuits and Systems (ICIMCS 2011)
The Design of Location System Based on GPS
International Conference on Mechanical and Electrical Technology, 3rd, (ICMET-China 2011), Volumes 1–3
Intelligent ABS/GPS Integration for Land Vehicle Navigation
International Conference on Advanced Computer Theory and Engineering (ICACTE 2009)