Asymptotic Vision-Based Tracking Control of the Quadrotor Aerial Vehicle

This paper proposes an image-based visual servo (IBVS) controller for the 3D translational motion of the quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The main purpose of this paper is to provide asymptotic stability for vision-based tracking control of the quadrotor in the presence of uncertainty in the dynamic model of the system. The aim of the paper also includes the use of flow of image features as the velocity information to compensate for the unreliable linear velocity data measured by accelerometers. For this purpose, the mathematical model of the quadrotor is presented based on the optic flow of image features which provides the possibility of designing a velocity-free IBVS controller with considering the dynamics of the robot. The image features are defined from a suitable combination of perspective image moments without using the model of the object. This property allows the application of the proposed controller in unknown places. The controller is robust with respect to the uncertainties in the translational dynamics of the system associated with the target motion, image depth and external disturbances. Simulation results and a comparison study are presented which demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.