Trajectory optimization of unmanned aerial vehicle in vertical profile

Abstract

The new optimization algorithm of UAV's vertical profile is proposed in this paper. The optimization model of the UAV is established. The optimization index functions are constructed using the Hamilton function. As the problem of high dimensional two-point boundary value which cannot be solved by the analytical method, but solved by means of an appropriate numerical method, an improved deepest descent algorithm based on the steepest descent method and the Newton method is proposed. The flight trajectory optimization problem is solved by using the proposed new algorithm, the gradient descent method is improved and the convergence rate is accelerated. Finally, the feasibility and the effectiveness of the flight trajectory optimization algorithm are verified by the simulation. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012.