Unmanned Systems Technology Dec/Jan 2020 | Phoenix UAS | Sonar focus | Construction insight | InterGeo 2019 | Supacat ATMP | Adelan fuel cell | Oregon tour | DSEI 2019 | Copperstone Helix | Power management focus

The autonomous FCS thus managed the sequencing of the valve and compressors to achieve variations in buoyancy to reach specified maximum and minimum altitude thresholds, equivalent to the amplitude of the sinusoidal flightpath. In this respect, the FCS has more in common with that for a submarine than an aeroplane. The altitude limits were necessary for the indoor trials to avoid contact with the roof and floor of the building, but in operation it is probable that a forward velocity would be the main performance target, and the aircraft would determine for itself the altitude thresholds (amplitude) and length of each transition (frequency) to achieve that velocity. It would also coordinate the deployment of the aerodynamic flight controls (ailerons, elevators and rudders) to maintain a specified direction – especially in the case of a crosswind – and to steer a waypoint-defined course when necessary. All these functions were incorporated into an onboard computer that was fed data from an array of sensors so that the aircraft was able to monitor its own health and location. The battery, MPPT, FCS, pumps and valve were all mounted on a gondola plate on the bottom of the fuselage in a location providing the required CoG position, as shown in Fig. 10 (page 32). While the Phoenix was conceived as an almost academic attempt to ascertain the validity of a previously unproven concept, this project did so while also creating The sequential triggers are: • t1: time at which compressor is disabled • t2: time at which air valve is triggered • t3: time at which air valve trigger ceases • t4: time at which compressor is enabled • t5: time at which air valve is disabled • t6: time at which compressor is triggered • t7: time at which compressor trigger ceases, and • t8: time at which air valve is enabled Orientation & Navigation booth #CP-4 Quanta UAV Direct Georeferencing