Energy optimal 3D flight path planning for unmanned aerial vehicle in urban environments

Abstract This paper presents a general approach to compute energy optimal flight paths for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in urban environments. To minimize the required, path is optimized by exploiting local wind phenomena, i.e., upwind and tailwind areas from airflow around buildings. A realistic field of model environment typical continental Europe generated using PALM, Large Eddy Simulation tool. The calculated feeds into planning algorithm required. specifically tailored A-Star-Algorithm used optimize trajectories. demonstrated on delivery UAV benchmark scenario. Energy are compared shortest way trajectories 12 different scenarios. It shown that can be saved significantly while flying city knowledge current field.